Ants: Make Way ‘won with a leg in the air’ - and there’s plenty more in store
By Barry Lichter • 21 March 2019
Make Way won with a leg in the air at Penrith last night and can’t help but win another couple of races very quickly, tips top horseman Anthony Butt.
“I could have gone away by another five lengths on him,’’ said Butt after the little colt scored by 10.6 metres, sprinting away early in the home stretch to clock a 1:56.3 mile rate for the 1720 metres.
“That’s a really good time for this track and he was jogging all the way after we got to the front.’’
Butt revealed Make Way was travelling so well turning for home he didn’t even have to activate the pull down blinds.
“Once that one (Slingshot) dropped off down the back I had them well covered and he was never out of second gear. I thought I’d save the blinds for another day.’’
Make Way, having his fourth start in Australia, showed high gate speed to cross from three on the gate, and Butt had to keep his foot down to repel an early challenge from the second favourite, the ex All Stars’ pacer Slingshot, who was all the bully on track.
They’re flying into the first bend at Penrith and Make Way is about to cross Kelli Frost but Lord Denzel, middle, and Slingshot, outer, are burning hard to try to keep him out.“We were going like hell into that first bend which is a good effort on a little track like Penrith.
“Gate speed is so important on these little tracks and now that he has shown us he can get round them well, it just gives us so many more options. It’s another really good string to his bow.
“He’s a perfect little racehorse with great manners and he beat a couple of quite nice horses tonight.
“That’s how I hoped he’d go - his work at home had been good - and he should get another couple of quick wins.
“There’s not much for him in the next couple of weeks as he’s not eligible for the Bathurst Gold Crown so we’ll just potter round with him and find another suitable race.’’
Incredibly, Butt says Make Way stays a c0 pacer after his win last night, the fourth of his career.
“And he can win another race and he’ll still be a c0.’’
Butt believes that Make May can quickly make up for the little hiccup in his preparation when he raced flat in a New South Wales Derby heat and was found to be coughing afterwards.
Anthony Butt and partner Sonya Smith … doing a great job preparing Make Way for Lincoln Farms.
“He felt great tonight and is obviously back to his best.
“It’s good to get him on the board and he’s in a great space at the moment.
“He’s king of the kids in the barn. He thinks he’s the boss.’’
Make Way’s winning purse of A$3900 last night took his Australian earnings to A$7450 for Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street and the big partrnership which races him which comprises Christine Stuart, Christine Rupp, Lynda Irwin-Parson, Liz Bilton, Sue Donovan, Sue Wilson, Jackie Taylor, Mary Ingles, Sharon Rack, Shirley Arnett, Amy Myocevich, Bob Best, Duncan, John and Dave Chisholm, Warwick Orr and Ian Middleton.
Butt also had a good report on Lincoln Farms’ stablemate Vasari who ran a brave third earlier in the night for Brittany Graham.
Graham had to really gas the horse out of the gate to hold the lead and, after looking certain to be crossed, somehow managed to repel a bevy of challengers.
“She’d just got him relaxed after that when they came round in the second quarter and he got trucking again which took its toll late.’’
Butt says Vasari continues to earn his keep and will win again when things pan out for him.
Make Way and Anthony Butt are cruising, nearly 11 metres clear at the finish at Penrith last night.
More news in Harness
Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Argyle out of action, injured, and barrier draw will take Nemo out of play too on Saturday
Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
