Make Way strides out beautifully for Anthony Butt as they head for home in today’s Menangle trial. PHOTO: Ashlea Brennan.
Make Way cruises home at Menangle and gets a stamp from Ants for his model behaviour
By Barry Lichter • 3 June 2020
“Same horsepower, better behaved.”
That’s how top horseman Anthony Butt described the newly gelded Make Way after his easy near all-the-way win in a 1609 metre trial at Menangle today.
Despite being a little keyed up behind the gate, Butt said Make Way began fast and, after reaching the lead on the first turn, relaxed beautifully in front.
“He was just a little fresh early but when they came at him in the straight he kicked really well and won comfortably.”
The judge gave Make Way a 2.1 metre advantage over True Confessions at the line with a neck to Speedy Dominic, with the mile cut out in 1:56.2.
Make Way leads the field turning for home at Menangle today. PHOTO: Ashlea Brennan.Make Way recorded closing sectionals of 56.1 and 26.8, impressing Butt with the way he responded.
The run will see Make Way back in the draw when he lines up at the races, probably the week after next.
“I’ll just see how he is in the next few days, and how he works on Saturday, but I’m leaning to waiting a week for the 2300 metre race.
“They have three free-for-alls a night and I think he’ll be in the second best one, if not the third one, so it won’t be too tough on him.
“That run will clean him up nicely. He was only out for a couple of days and didn’t lose much fitness.”
Butt says Make Way has definitely been better behaved around the barn since he was gelded, after becoming “too much of a boy.
“He was perfect today and he’s still got his character.”
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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
