Ryan Sanderson has a big smile on his face as he scores an easy win on Make Way at Menangle today. PHOTO: Ashlea Brennan.
Schoolboy Ryan gets top marks on Make Way - Ants and Sonya score his drive a 10 out of 10
By Barry Lichter • 15 October 2019
“This could be Ryan Sanderson’s first Menangle winner … good drive young fella!”
Race commentator Fred Hastings telegraphed the excitement of everyone around Make Way even before the talented pacer hit the wire tonight in a sizzling 1:51.7.
And it was only a few seconds later when top horseman Anthony Butt, who prepares Make Way for Lincoln Farms with partner Sonya Smith, saw how much the win meant to his young protege.
As Butt ranged alongside on fourth-placed Ideal Star, he could see the 16-year-old schoolboy beaming.
“I congratulated him and he was so excited,” said Butt. “It’s a pretty big deal for him, his first winner at Menangle and only the second win of his career.
“I’d say he had a hard job concentrating on his studies at school today and it’s back to school for him tomorrow.”
Butt was delighted with the way Sanderson, a son of local trainer Shane Sanderson, handled Make Way, avoiding being sucked into a speed duel with Elderberry Stride who matched him out of the gate.
“He knows what he’s doing and gave the horse the perfect run.”
Just when it looked like Make Way might be held up in a pocket behind the leader, Sanderson pushed the parked Zahven Banner out of his way 200 metres from home and presented the horse at exactly the right time.
Make Way easily rounded up the leader and cruised to the line to win by 5.8 metres, a nice pipe-opener for the horse who was having his first start since the Queensland autumn carnival in July.
“That’s the fastest he’s gone and he had a bit in hand at the finish,” said Butt. “He had a bit of a blow afterwards too so he’s got improvement there.
“He’s pretty much exactly where we thought he was and it’s good to be able to win when he’s not wound up. It was better doing that than going to the trials again.
“He’s such a lovely horse who will always be competitive in whatever race he goes in. We’ve just got to hope he keeps improving but being a Mach Three he should do that.”
Butt is adamant the Queensland campaign has been the making of the horse, even though he won only a minor lead-up race to the Queensland Derby.
“Even though he didn’t win the big race up there you win in the long run.
“Tim (brother) and I have repeatedly found that a trip away and a bit of tough racing makes them. You chuck them in the deep end and it stands them in good stead.”
Make Way is nearly six metres clear of Elderberry Stride and Zahven Banner at the finish today.Butt says tonight’s win confirms his belief Make Way has come back in terrific order.
The horse never looked to be under pressure as he reeled off a closing 800 metres in 55.9 and 400 in 28.3.
His overall time was the fastest of the day at Menangle, Tim Butt’s Mac Almighty pacing 1:52.2 in the other up-to-rating 70 mile.
The win credited Smith with her second winner at Menangle this season - Mister Wickham the only other horse she has started, scored win No. 20 on October 5.
Make Way is likely to start next either at Menangle next Tuesday or the following Sunday.
More news in Harness
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No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
