Make Way drama: Thunderstorm, close finish, protest - and we missed seeing everything!
By Barry Lichter • 30 January 2019
“Reverse the draws and he would have bolted in.”
Anthony Butt’s assessment of Make Way’s runner-up placing at Leeton last night only tells half the story of a dramatic debut run in Australia.
For while Make Way’s New Zealand owners had frustrations of their own, with the meeting running late and then Trackside TV not showing his race because of a clash, it was more trying on Butt and training partner Sonya Smith.
For his part Make Way handled it all like a true professional, forced to sit outside the leader all the way on the tight 800 metre country New South Wales track, and still running the hot favourite Major Roll to a neck.
We missed all the post race action too as Make Way’s driver Chris Geary threw in a protest against the winner for taking his line halfway down the stretch.
Watch the video replay and you’ll see Geary drop in for cover for a few strides before the home turn as Make Way comes off the bit momentarily.
“But then he picked it up again, dug deep, and ranged alongside the other horse,” says Butt.
Make Way, outer, loses balance and momentum as driver Chris Geary is forced to yank forcibly on his right rein to drag him off Major Roll.“Chris said he thought he was going to go past him but then Major Roll came out on him and he had to check off it.
“I watched it head on and it looked quite bad but I couldn’t tell at the time how far behind he was.
“Moving out like that is an old trick which doesn’t often get picked up. After I saw the video I understood the stewards’ decision. It’s hard to win protests like that because even though it cost him momentum you’ve got to be able to prove you were going to beat the other horse.’’
Butt says he was thrilled with the way Make Way kept coming at the other horse regardless.
“He’s the perfect little racehorse. He handled the track well and was right there at the line.
“It’s hard on these little tracks when the favourite is leading and you’re sitting outside him.
“Reverse the draws and he would have bolted in.’’
Butt says while the A$15,300 Canberra Derby (2130m) on February 10 remains on the agenda he and Sonya will wait to see how the horse recovers from last night’s run.
“We’ll just wait a couple of days to see how he comes through it. The afternoon was hot as hell and it was still really hot at the races.
“Then when they were out on the track for the third race there was a massive thunderstorm, with lightning and torrential rain and the races were put back an hour. The meeting was in doubt for a while.
“So the horses went from sweating in the heat to being cold and wet.
“We’ll just be guided by how he is over the next few days as to whether we go to Canberra. But the derby heats (at Menangle on February 23) are the main aim.’’
Butt says you couldn’t have asked for more from Make Way in his pipe-opener. And his loyal owners weren’t complaining either - banking $2250 in stakes plus collecting on his surprisingly good $2.10 place price.
Stablemate Vasari was also game in defeat one race earlier.
The horse got back from his second row draw, looped the field to sit outside the leader for the last lap and fought on bravely for second.
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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.”
