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
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
