Barrier draw 12 the kiss of death but Make Way can still go close in final derbies lead-up
By Barry Lichter • 3 July 2019
He’s got a horror barrier draw but top driver Anthony Butt still expects Make Way to go close at Albion Park on Friday night.
Butt chose an easy option for the Redcliffe Derby winner as a lead-in to next week’s South East Derby but drew widest on the second row over only 1660 metres.
And the tale of the tape at Albion Park tells just how difficult it is to win from gate 12 with just 21 of the 346 horses who have tried this season overcoming it.
Make Way looks in great condition as he enjoys a pick of grass today at Logan Village, 45km from Brisbane.“It’s certainly hard over a mile from anywhere on the back row,’’ says Butt.
“If you get into the three wide line and it doesn’t keep progressing, you’re in trouble. It happened to me yesterday driving one of Tim’s horses, Superbass. He was the best horse in the race but couldn’t get into it.
“But we should still be hard to beat on Friday. He’s got a bit of class and all things being equal if he’s going to be competitive in the derby he’ll go close. This race (for rating 61 to 67 horses) is a bit easier than others he could have gone in.’’
Butt says Make Way has recovered really well from his winning run at Redcliffe where he sat parked for the last 1200 metres and still ran the fastest mile rate of the night for the distance range, 1:57, which was better than Clarkey took in the c6 and faster event.
“I nearly raced him again last week but decided to give him a bit longer and I didn’t want to go three weeks between races. He needs another run to be 110 percent for next week.’’
Make Way’s two big assignments in the next fortnight are the A$31,000 South East Derby and A$100,000 Queensland Derby.
“This will give him a nice hitout for next week, keep him ticking over, and then he should be at peak for the Grand Final.’’
Make Way races at 8.50pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.53pm
“I was happy with his last run. He had to go back to last from the draw and when clear he ran home well. He just needs a bit of racing. He’s had only five starts, so the others have more ringcraft than him, but he could get some of it with the right trip.”
Race 6: Im Not The Maid
7.53pm
“She had to do too much work last time, parked for the last lap, but should get her chance from three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Lincoln La Moose
6.26pm
“He overdid it again last week but we’re looking for some improvement on Friday. If things go his way he’s a chance to get some money but our other horse looks more likely.”
Race 2: Kevin Kline
6.26pm
“He’s a lovely horse and I’m sure he’ll go another good race. He did well last week after that early break. Maurice was trying to let Greased Lightnin in but he’s a big horse who had other ideas and kept powering on. He just needs a bit of luck in the running.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
7.18pm
“He’s going honest races but he just lacked the big speed last week of horses like Greased Lightning and Seaclusion. Fergie said he had a job pulling him up. I can’t see anything beating Mantra Blue on Friday, even with a 15 metre head start, but Leo starts well and hopefully he can run a place.”
