Make Way back and over a nightmare run of ailments - and he’s now a Melburnian
By Barry Lichter • 11 December 2020
Make Way might not be ready to win at Melton on Saturday night but top horseman Anthony Butt is just thankful that he’s finally healthy and back at the races.
A nightmare run of ailments has kept Make Way out of the winner’s circle since January, a foreign scenario with a horse who used to just eat, sleep and win money at the races nearly every time he stepped out.
But this year Make Way has encountered one problem after another, starting with a lingering foot abscess then an inflamed throat then last month an ulcer on his epiglottis.
Butt knew something had to be wrong with the horse in his last start on October 31 when he pulled fiercely then dropped out, almost like he’d choked down.
“We found he had a really bad ulcer on his epiglottis which was cutting off his wind. But it’s been treated and he’s back to normal now.
“Now it’s up to him to step up.”
Make Way resumed from his break at Melton last Saturday night when he enjoyed a soft run in the trail in the Caduceus Classic, finishing fifth after being right in the firing line until 100 metres out.
“I was happy with him. He blew up over the back but we knew he’d need the run. It was a good starting point.
“He’s got the one draw again so hopefully he can trail or, worst case scenario, be three fence, do no work and finish a bit closer.
“I’m sure he’ll go well even though the field is a little harder this time. He’s probably not quite ready to win but he’s not far away and after this week he’ll be spot on.”
Melton has been Make Way’s new home for the last 10 days after Butt and his partner, trainer Sonya Smith, packed up house and moved from Menangle, outside of Sydney.
They have shifted their entire team to Melbourne, and are stabled at Sammy Kilgour’s property, keen to take advantage of better opportunities in the state.
“We were here for two months with a team during the Breeders Crown carnival and had a lot of success. It showed we could find better options for the horses here.”
Butt, now training a team for the big-spending Emilio Rosati, said the owner had been keen on the shift for several months and was hoping to eventually secure his own property.
Make Way races at 10.50pm NZ time at Melton on Saturday night.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
