Leaders have a big advantage at Penrith which is an 800 metre track with a 130 metre home straight.
Ants will gun for the front on Make Way at Penrith - but says it’s not vital to get there
By Barry Lichter • 19 March 2019
Top horseman Anthony Butt believes Kiwi colt Make Way can win a couple of races pretty quickly - but just can’t say whether it will be as soon as Thursday night at Penrith.
And that’s because Make Way, while back to full health, will be having his first start for a month when he lines up in the sixth race at 10.33pm NZ time.
Make Way, placed in his first two starts in Australia, was coughing after failing in a heat of the New South Wales Derby at Menangle on February 23 and Butt says the bug knocked him for a couple of days.
“But he came right on antibiotics in four to five days and seems back to his best again.
“He seems really bright in himself and is bouncing around. He had an easy time for a while, and it’s possible he’ll need the run, but he’s not far away and from the front he’d be hard to beat.’’
Make Way has drawn three in the mobile 1720 metre race and Butt is hoping he will have the speed to cross the two inside him.
Anthony Butt with Make Way, whom he trains for Lincoln Farms with partner Sonya Smith.But consistent pole runner Kelli Frost does have good gate speed and has led or trailed in each of her last five starts, and led here on February 28 at her last start.
“It’s not the end of the world if we can’t lead. They seem to be able to win from off the pace at Penrith if they can run good sectionals.’’
But being a tight anticlockwise 800 metres track, Penrith does favour leaders with its turning nature and short 130 metre straight.
“This is a good race for him to start off again and back from derby level into this grade he will find it a lot easier. And they won’t go 1:51 like they can at Menangle.
“Hopefully he can win a couple of races and get his confidence up. He’s a pretty classy horse and it should be onwards and upwards from here.
“There are plenty of nice races coming up for him. But we’ll probably look to line him up on Tuesday week at Menangle.
The likely favourite in Make Way’s race on Thursday is the former All Stars’ runner Slingshot having his first start in Australia for Darren Hancock. He won a trial at Menangle on February 12 and was a 6 metre third in a 1:52.2 mile trial there on March 5.
Stablemate Vasari, who runs in the fourth race an hour earlier, is one Butt fully expects will lead from his ace draw.
“He’s been going good races from bad draws and if he can lead he’ll be awfully hard to beat.’’
Claiming junior Brittany Graham will pilot Vasari.
Vasari will get his chance from the ace draw at 9.33pm NZ time.
Make Way races at 10.33pm NZ time. He has drawn nicely in three but may not be able to cross the pole runner.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.55pm
“She needed the run last week. Even though she galloped in the score-up, her manners are definitely improving as she didn’t pull in the running. She’ll be sharper this week so hopefully she’ll pace away and get the job done. It looks a pretty even field.”
Race 4: Lincoln Lover
7.18pm
“He only battled away last start and Fergie said he wasn’t really on the bit at the back of the field. He’s been racing for a while and might be a bit fatigued. The outside draw doesn’t help either and Soul Artist was very impressive winning last time.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She hasn’t got a lot of speed but she tries hard so the best spot for her might be in front, rolling along. That said, her closing sectionals (57.8, 27.9) were the best in the race last time. We couldn’t get one of the Sharpe boys so we’ve had to settle for Frank Phelan. She’s an each-way chance with Andy (Sharpe) the one to beat on Commander Lincoln.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.21pm
“We’ve thrown him in the deep end, but it was either that or trial. He’s been going OK but he’ll need the run for sure.”
Race 2: Spiritual Bliss
5.21pm
“She won’t be completely out of it, she’s better than people think. The inside second row draw isn’t ideal, and luck will obviously play a part, but I think she’ll be competitive.”
Race 3: Rivergirl Bella
5.57pm
“She was always going to need the run last time as it was her first for a long time. She’ll improve off that. She’s plenty fast enough but needs to get fitter.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
5.57pm
“We found he had a bit of a virus after he last raced so had to ease up on him. He’ll be a little short (on fitness) but his class should carry him through. He is vulnerable with his behaviour at the moment but he’s only got to get round without any silliness and I can’t see how they can beat him.”
Race 4: Johnny Lincoln
6.24pm
“He’s racing super and they’ll know he’s there. He’s trained on well since his Metro Final win. He races tough and at Auckland they have to be tough now.”
