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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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.”
