Make Way by a big space in 1:53 - and Ants says he did it in second gear
By Barry Lichter • 6 July 2019
Top horseman Anthony Butt is adamant Make Way will be competitive in the two derbies coming up after the little colt won by a wide space at Albion Park on Friday night.
Despite being warned by everyone that no matter how good your horse is, it’s very hard to win from the outside of the second row over 1660 metres, Make Way jogged it, scoring by nearly 20 metres in a 1:53 mile rate.
“And he did it in second gear,’’ says Butt. “He just cruised it up the straight and was never all out.
“There’ll be two or three really good horses against him in the derbies but I’m sure he’ll be competitive.”
Butt knows the All Stars’ pair of Self Assured and Jesse Duke will be tough in Saturday’s A$31,000 South East Derby, and there’s a chance the Blue Army’s top filly Our Princess Tiffany might also contest the A$100,000 Queensland Derby on July 20.
“But it will come down to draws and with the right run, he’ll give them a fright.’’
Make Way is doing it easily as he romps clear at Albion Park on Friday night.Butt was again impressed by the way May Way scored on Friday to make it five wins from his last six starts and six in all for his partner Sonya Smith since starting his Australian campaign in late January.
“He’s got the all round game now. I’d love to draw well next week as he has really good gate speed but he’s also so adaptable. He had to do a bit of work to get to the death last night but he relaxed so well out there.’’
Butt let Make Way roll forward out of the gate without getting into any of the early fireworks and was able to work round the field during the slowest second quarter of 30.3.
“We were lucky that horse (Janies Got A Gun) I was following didn’t pull back to last and went forward instead, or we could have been in trouble.
“But considering he was never on the track, three wide to the death, he ran very good time.’’
Make Way sprinted his last 800 metres, outside the leader, in 55.8, home in 28.3 to race clear of Couldntbetold and tiring leader Soldier Of Fortune.
Only Smooth Sailor, in the rating 75 to 85 event that followed, ran faster overall time on the night, clocking 1:52.3, home in 56.9 and 29.1.
“He’s had a great preparation, everything’s gone perfectly to plan,” says Butt of Make Way.
“He had some racing, then a break, as rather than racing him every week we chose to peak him for the big races.
“He had a bit of a blow last night and I’m sure he’ll now be spot on for the big ones.
“You always need a bit of luck in big races but he’s flying and he’s a great wee opportunist, the perfect article.’’
More news in Harness
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
