Anthony Butt this morning with Make Way, veiled against the flies.
No flies on Make Way but Canberra’s off and he’ll head straight to Menangle on Tuesday
By Barry Lichter • 7 February 2019
Make Way will not contest Sunday’s Canberra Derby but tackle a race at Menangle on Tuesday instead.
Anthony Butt and partner Sonya Smith, who are now training Lincoln Farms’ smart colt, say he has come through his Leeton run well but they have decided he doesn’t need another long float trip so soon.
“He seems great but he did lighten up a bit with his trip away,’’ says Butt, not surprising given the five-hour float haul to Leeton and the sapping heat.
Butt says a precautionary blood test came back fine but racing at home would be a little easier on the horse.
“The Canberra race has turned out a pretty tough one so I’m pleased we have missed it.
“I will put him in a c0 race at Menangle on Tuesday and it will give him a run on the track before the derby heats.”
Make Way opened his Australian account with a close and unlucky second at Leeton on January 29, forced to sit outside the red hot favourite Major Roll throughout and also slightly hampered by the winner in the run home.
He is being prepared for the A$20,400 New South Wales Derby heats at Menangle on February 23.
Vasari is about to hand up to Chase Auckland at Menangle last Saturday.Stablemate Vasari, another Lincoln Farms’ pacer who also ran second at Leeton, lined up again at Menangle last Saturday, finishing fourth, albeit distanced by star New Zealand colt Chase Auckland.
But his effort to finish 17.5 metres from the Kiwi had merit given the 2300 metres was run in 2:44.2, a mile rate of 1:54.9, with the closing half in 54.3.
“He was good in a pretty strong field,’’ says Butt. “He keeps earning every week and we have put him in again on Saturday night.
“He seems competitive in the m0s at the moment and he earned more for fourth ($1000) than he did for second ($975) at Leeton. We can always find something a bit easier if we have to.
“We have had him in the water walker this week just to freshen him up and he is bucking and kicking when we put him out in the paddock so he seems great in himself.’’
Strike The Gold … warrior on his way back.Butt is also happy with the way Strike The Gold is coming back from his three-month break.
“He’s been in the water walker every day and he loves it. He’s really bouncing around the place.’’
Strike The Gold, who has won nine races since moving to Australia, has four screws in a leg which started bothering him last year.
“But he’s in a good place right now. We have started jogging him as well and he seems nice and sound but we will go quietly with him for another few weeks.’’
More news in Harness
Forget the form line, Nemo is in Saturday’s race at Albion Park ‘right up to his ears’
Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
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.”
