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
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Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
