Menangle trial confirms Make Way has come up a treat for Ants and Sonya
By Barry Lichter • 9 October 2019
Make Way trialled so well at Menangle yesterday, he’ll go straight to the races on Tuesday for the start of what trainers Sonya Smith and Anthony Butt believe will be a big season.
The original plan was for Make Way to trial twice before opening his four-year-old campaign but the colt performed in “super” style over a mile.
Anthony Butt … now training a big team for leading Australian owner Emilio Rosati.Driven quietly by concession junior Ryan Sanderson, Make Way settled four deep on the markers in a nine-horse field and was not eased out into the running line until well into the home stretch.
Sanderson kept Make Way behind eventual winner Masons Delight all the way down the straight, and never pulled out, finishing hard on his back.
The winner clocked 1:54 flat, closing in 55.2 and 27.1.
“I can’t believe how well he’s come back,” says Butt. “He’s done great with the break - he’s filled out in his arse end and his coat is like silk. He’s really spot on, I couldn’t be happier with him, and it looks like it’s all systems go for a big year.
“There’s a good race for him here next Tuesday and they go that fast at the trials we may as well race for money.”
Make Way, who last raced in Queensland on July 20, starts his new campaign on a national rating of 68 after a terrific three-year-old season with Smith and Butt when he won six races.
The season was also a big one for Butt who in August drove two Breeders Crown winners, Ultimate Stride and Liberty Stride, for leading owner Emilio Rosati.
Last week Rosati appointed Butt as his No.1 trainer in New South Wales, after his private trainer Noel Daley returned to the United States, swelling his barn by 20 well bred horses, with another 10 waiting in the wings.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 5: Lincoln Lover
6.49pm
“You can’t fault what he’s done in his last four starts - he hasn’t missed a cheque. He’s raced at Auckland before as a two-year-old against good horses so it shouldn’t be too daunting for him. He’ll go an honest race, it’s just whether he’s good enough.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
7.57pm
Nathan Delany: “He had to trial on Tuesday after hitting the gate and breaking at Cambridge and I was happy with how he went. He ran Dear God to half a length in 2:38, and got home in 27.3. I’ll tell Harry to have one run at them and he should beat them for speed. Hopefully they run along a bit and he’ll sprint straight past them.”
Race 7: Lincoln Maree
7.57pm
“She lacks a bit of speed but she’s a rough chance.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.24pm
“It’s her first start for five months and she hasn’t trialled but she’s training well. She has plenty of ability and there’s nothing wonderful in the race. In the past she’s been her own worst enemy, a lunatic at times, but she seems more settled this time in. You could say I’m hopeful more than confident.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.24pm
“She has a bit of speed. She hasn’t been strong but seems to have developed a bit more this time in and is training quite well. I don’t think there’s much between her and Lincoln Linda.”
