Make Way trails Miracle Mile hero (My) Field Marshal in fast work at Menangle on Saturday.
Hey mum, check out me and the champ! Make Way in great heart for Menangle on Tuesday
By Barry Lichter • 9 February 2019
Don’t get too excited but that horse just in front of Make Way at the finish of their fast work last Saturday is none other than Australasian mile record-holder My Field Marshal.
While Make Way will have to run fast time at Menangle on Tuesday night in quite a hot field, he won’t have to go anywhere near the 1:46.9 clocking by My Field Marshal in winning last year’s Miracle Mile.
But the way Make Way worked with the horse, along with smart pacers Rocker Band and Prestonpans, gives Anthony Butt plenty of confidence about his chances in the sixth race tomorrow (7.10pm NZ time).
Teamed with the other trio over a 2400 metre workout, Make Way ran a nice 3:14, Butt content to finish fourth while sprinting his last quarter in 27.
And if Butt wasn’t already pleased with the three-year-old, the way the horse pranced onto the track this morning, “neck arched and tail in the air”, told him he’s in a very happy place.
“I’m really happy with him,’’ says Butt. “He felt terrific today and I’m confident he’ll go a good race, even though this is really just a prep run for next week.
Anthony Butt … starting from gate nine makes it very difficult.“His work and his heart rate have been great and, while he’s had an easy time since Leeton, I’d say the way he felt this morning he’s 95%.’’
For a Tuesday meeting at Menangle, Make Way’s field has come up surprisingly strong, three or four other runners also using the race as a lead-in to the heats of the New South Wales Derby.
With horses of the likes of early favourite Shoobee Doo, who ran a massive second on the track last start after hitting a wheel and galloping out of the gate, Make Mine Memphis, Tim Butt’s Colby, and recent Kiwi import Fear Cruisin who brings excellent seconds at Gore and Omakau, par for the course tomorrow is likely to be a 1:52 mile.
“Often if one or two horses dominate they get away with easy runs but with four or five drivers thinking they’re a chance I’m guessing there’ll be a bit of early action.’’
Butt is concerned Make Way has drawn nine on the 10-horse front line, making it impossible to predict where he’ll end up in the running, but says if he can get a nice trip he’ll “swish home pretty well.”
“I don’t want to give him a gut-buster but he has a bit of gate speed so we’ll come out and look for a spot. It’s too hard when you get back to last over a mile here.’’
Butt says it will be difficult for Make Way to win given at least one of the other form runners is sure to get a cosy run, but it will be good experience on the track and the different racing style.
“Some horses do take a run or two to adapt to Menangle, especially those from Melbourne and New Zealand where races tend to be more stop-start. They burn out of the gate, ease, then sprint home.
“Here a lot of races are run full tilt all the way, more like American racing.
“It’s a great track and on a nice day they can run anything. Some of these horses are capable of 1:50 but hopefully we won’t have to go that tomorrow.
“I expect he’ll gain a little more improvement out of this race and will be spot on for the derby heats on February 23.’’
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.”
