Awkward draw shouldn’t stop ‘perfect wee racehorse’ from getting into the derby finish
By Barry Lichter • 20 June 2019
Make Way has an awkward draw in Saturday night’s A$21,150 Redcliffe Derby but that shouldn’t stop him from getting into the money, says top driver Anthony Butt.
“If he’d drawn where Dazzle Me is (three) he would have been really hard to beat,’’ says Butt. “He still will be but its harder when one of the favourites is up front.’’
With the scratching of Lincoln Farms’ other runner Trojan Banner through a minor injury, Make Way moves in to five, but he is still the widest on the front line.
And that, says Butt, virtually forces him to go back at the start or risk being parked very wide round the turning triangular track.
“I’ve got no worries at all that he’ll handle Redcliffe because he’s such a perfect wee racehorse and he got round little tracks like Leeton and Penrith.
“I’d say I’ll be mooching forward at some stage as you don’t want to get too far back at Redcliffe.
Make Way finishes an outstanding third in his lead-up race at Penrith after mounting a sweeping run wide from the back.
“I’m sure it will be a good, competitive race, as they’re all pretty even, but I thought Make Way’s lead-up race at Penrith last week was outstanding.’’
Beaten just a half head and neck in a driving four-way finish, Make Way was at a distinct disadvantage starting from four on the second row.
“I tired to push through early and got squeezed out of a gap and then got behind one who was pulling back and ended up a long way back.
“And once Leonidas got parked I couldn’t make a move as he wouldn’t have let me go.
“He did very well to finish where he did as it’s hard to come three wide from the back on that track.
“It was a perfect lead-up run, after his break, and he came through it well.’’
Butt says he’s found through his experience of travelling horses that their second run is usually better than their first, once they’ve completely settled in.
“But he’ll be pretty right on Saturday night. He travelled up here really well and hasn’t missed a beat since he’s been here - he ate and drank everything last night.’’
Butt and his trainer partner Sonya Smith floated their horses north from Sydney on Tuesday after the Menangle races, breaking the trip up overnight at a horse motel halfway to Brisbane.
Top driver Anthony Butt is in great form already in Brisbane.“I’m glad we did that as when we got here yesterday the total trip was 12 hours.’’
Make Way is being stabled at Logan Village, 45km out of Brisbane, where he is staying with a long-time friend Ricky Thurlow.
Thurlow drove two winners for Butt’s brother Tim at Albion Park on Tuesday, Running Free and Superbass, while Butt was on the road, but he’ll be back at the helm this weekend with some plum drives.
Butt was in great touch at Albion Park last Saturday night, reining home Majestic Courtney and Im Rocknroll Magic for his brother and Barrett for Mark Jones and Aaron Goadsby.
Barrett, who is a rival for Make Way in the Redcliffe Derby, clocked a slick 1:52.7 mile rate for the 1660 metres.
“But he got a great run (in the trail) and I’m sure Make Way would have done the same.’’
Make Way races at 8.43pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Saturday night.
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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.”
