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.
More news in Harness
Leo takes the lion’s share to cap terrific Manawatu season - and Ray gets a piece too
Nate looking for more Fergy magic to cap successful two months at Manawatu
Cloud over Angelic Copy again - bug threatens to force her out on Friday night at Auckland
Phone home - ET trotter Whats Up The Hill blasts off with narrow Escape at Auckland
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
What’s Up The Hill.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 3: Onyx Shard
5.09pm
“She’s working really well and, from the good draw, hopefully she can run a drum. The field’s not that much harder than the one she beat last time at Manawatu (when parked for the last lap).”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
5.09pm
“We’re very happy with him - he’s come back a better horse. He went well at Auckland last start and is working well. We’ll be looking to go forward from the gate and hopefully get a gun run through behind Onyx Shard. On ability, he’s the better chance of the two.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.39pm
“He stepped like a bullet in his first go from a stand here in March. I thought he’d do the same on the second day but he galloped. We’ve got an overcheck on and hopple shorteners on Tuesday so he should make a good beginning. If he can step and lead, then maybe take a trail, he should be hard to beat. He likes it down there where the track is quite soft.”
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 3: Onyx Shard
6.04pm
“I thought I had Kevin Kline covered on Tuesday when we got to the straight because she was really travelling but he kicked away on us. It would be nice if she can get out of the gate as well again - she has good gate speed - and, if she does, she can get some of it again.”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
6.04pm
“He was too good for them on Tuesday, thanks to a great Fergy drive, and he’s in the same field again this time. The extra distance and wide draw shouldn’t make much of a difference and he’s our best of the night.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.02pm
“He’ll be hard to beat again if he steps like he did on Tuesday. The 10 metre handicap shouldn’t stop him. I think he’s even better if he follows something and the extra 500 metres isn’t a worry.”
