Inside the final 200 metres and Make Way, arrowed, is under real pressure in last Saturday’s New South Wales Derby heat.
Coughs explain Make Way’s lacklustre performance in derby heat at Menangle
By Barry Lichter • 25 February 2019
When Make Way felt under pressure 600 metres from home in last Saturday’s New South Wales Derby heat at Menangle, driver Anthony Butt started to suspect something might be amiss.
And just 10 minutes after the race he was proven right when Lincoln Farms’ colt started coughing.
“He felt good all the way until the 600 when he came under pressure, which is not like him,’’ says Butt.
Make Way, who travelled four deep on the markers, eventually weakened to beat only one home.
“He coughed a few times after the race and again yesterday morning so he’s obviously picked up some bug.
“I started treating him with antibiotics but it’s obviously nothing serious as when I put him out into his paddock today he was bucking and kicking.’’
Butt says he’s seen the same scenario a hundred times before - a horse seemingly bright and well underperforms, whatever is brewing coming out only through the stress of a race.
Anthony Butt with a vizored Make Way to keep the flies at bay.“I could be just the time of the year when there’s a mix of seasons. It’s been funny weather, hot one minute then not.
“And if there’s something in their lungs it really affects their performance and they can be five or six lengths down on their best. And at that level you’ve only got to be down a couple of percent and you’re out of play.’’
Butt says Make Way’s being off colour might have made little difference anyway given the way the race unfolded.
He was starting to think as far as 800 metres out that Make Way was in trouble, with the frenetic speed of the race and the favourites on the front end while he was buried away on the markers.
Butt’s fears that Make Way’s gate speed might not be enough to hold up from the pole at the awkward 2400 metre starting point on the bend proved well founded.
“He got out of the gate really well but couldn’t hold those horses who were going faster out wider.’’
First Max Delight then Petes Big Jim crossed Make Way and he was history when the second favourite Lochinvar Art rolled to the top, putting him four deep.
Lochinvar Art ended up leading all the way and clocking a mile rate of 1:54.5 for the 2400 metres, a pace too fast even for the All Stars’ unbackable hot favourite I’m Anothermasterpiece who came out of the one-one to sit parked at the bell and stopped to fourth, missing out on the final.
But if you think that was fast, Emma Stewart’s Bettor’s Delight colt Demon Delight broke all stopwatches when he ran down Muscle Factory in the third derby heat to clock a mile rate of 1:52.7, scoring by more than eight metres in 2:48.
His sectionals of 29.4, 28.5, 27.4 and 27.5 saw him smash Smolda’s previous world record for 2400 metres.
“They’re the best of the best and they were flying all night,’’ says Butt.
“We’ll find another good race for him as soon as he tells us he’s back to his best. They normally bounce back quickly after antibiotics and I expect it will only be another couple of weeks.’’
More news in Harness
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
