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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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 3: Jessie Lincoln
6.39pm
“She was very good first-up - Harry said she was still coming at the line - and I’m sure she’ll go pretty well again. The way she trains over 2400 metres, you’d think the extra 500 metres will help.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.39pm
“I was quite happy with her last run at Cambridge, she’s improved a lot since Auckland. It’s a shame she’s got a bad draw this week but if she can hit the line well again, I’ll be happy.”
Race 5: Dreams Of Eric
7.34pm
“I think he’ll be a good chance because he continues to train very well. I’ll leave it up to Harry how he drives him this week but you’d think he’d lead again.”
Nathan’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Tyson
6.52pm
“He had to do a bit much work last time - from a niggly draw he went round and sat parked. He’s drawn three on Friday, which is perfect, as he can just mooch up there. He keeps going good races in stronger fields and needs two more starts and some more points to qualify for the Golden Gait.”
Race 8: Kevin Kline
9.24pm
“He’s up against the better ones now, like Cold Chisel, but he keeps doing a good job. He’s a tough horse who keeps improving and he’s training really well. I thought he’d be a chance.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Addington
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“I was pretty pleased with the way she went last time. It was unfortunate she had to cop such a tough trip but she showed she is competitive - not many in the race could have done what she did. Maurice said if he’d pushed her out, she would have finished a bit closer. I can’t fault her. She recovered quickly and looks great. She’s no 100-to-one shot. All she needs is a bit of luck.”
