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.
More news in Harness
Bags packed for Aussie - Ray’s ‘real racehorse’ Tyson sold to Albion Park boss
Ultimate gear change does the trick for brave little tradesman Lincoln Lover
Maurice gets “motor cleaned up” and hands reins of Wave to 3000 club mate Tony Herlihy
The Night Fox the latest in Nate’s love affair with Vincent - and he’s working super
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Wednesday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln Maree
5.11pm
“She’s finding her feet and was a bit unlucky at Taupo. She put in a few rough ones out of the gate - she was like that early in her prep and could just jump out of it - but she’s generally doing things right now. She trained well on Saturday and, with the right run, could run top three.”
Race 3: The Night Fox
6pm
“He won really well on the second day at Hawera and if he races anything like he’s training he’ll be hard to beat. He ran a 27.3 quarter during the week and I was just sitting on him. I’ll tell Craig to go forward, set an even tempo and cut him loose at the 600. I think he’s our best of the night.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.35pm
“Hopefully he’s improved since Taupo when Fergie drove him a treat in front. I actually think he’s better coming off something’s back but I’ll leave it up to Fergie. He’s up a bit in grade but has the right draw to be in it all the way.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.32pm
“He had an easy run last week and he can go a lot faster than that. He should be hard to beat. It won’t matter if he doesn’t find the lead from six, he’ll be just as effective coming from off the pace. He’s a pretty classy horse, classier than most of those against him.”
