Unruly spot makes it tough but Make Way’s not out of it at Menangle on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 29 April 2020
Top horseman Anthony Butt is hoping Make Way can get some of the money at Menangle on Saturday night even though he has to start from the tricky unruly spot.
Make Way copped a two-start out of draw penalty after he galloped twice in the score-up when resuming at Penrith a week ago. It was the second time on end he had misbehaved behind the arm, galloping briefly before the start of the Chariots Of Fire in February.
Trainer Sonya Smith ticked off one of those by running Make Way in a trial at Menangle on Wednesday, when he was untested to finish fourth, four lengths behind winner Mister Brazil who clocked a blazing 1:52.2 for the mile, running sectionals of 27.5, 29.9, 27.7 and 27.1.
“I didn’t ask him for a lot and he was going comfortably at the finish,” said Butt who got Make Way in to trail fourth on the pegs.
“I was mainly there to get one run ticked off and that was fast enough for him. The run won’t hurt him and might even improve him for Saturday.”
Butt said, while beaten at Penrith, he was pleased with Make Way’s third placing for concession claimer Ashley Hart, given he had to do a lot of work three wide, then parked.
Anthony Butt … “he’s such a great wee racehorse hopefully he can get some money.”“She had to do that to have any chance of winning from the back row and I thought he did well to keep fighting to the line as he hadn’t had a lead-up trial.”
Make Way also galloped twice in the score-up, mostly reflecting how fresh he was, Butt said.
“He’s quite an aggressive little fella behind the gate and I think he tucked his tail down and had a wee buck because he was feeling that good.
“But he should be fine now and, while it’s not easy winning from the outside of the gate at Menangle, he’s such a great wee racehorse hopefully he can get some money.
“They’re the second tier Menangle horses (who have won between $11,000 and $20,000 in their last five starts) but it’s still a handy enough field.
“If he’d been against the top class I would have said he was an each way chance so he’s definitely up to beating these.
“But if he can just get some money then get back in the draw next time I’ll be happy.
“Sometimes at Menangle you just have to take your medicine. The racing is so tempo related. If you go back and they walk early, you’re no show. But if they go the first quarter in 26 you can get your chance.”
Make Way races at 8.52pm NZ time at Menangle on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Why $34 rank outsider Obadiah Dragon takes Ray’s fancy at Auckland on Friday night
Even some minor money would please Ray on what looks to be a tough night at Auckland
This morning’s work like the Nemo of old but Thursday’s draw is more than cruel
Ray: Little Leo’s no star but he’s the kind of horse everybody would love to own
Our runners this week
Friday at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Les Harding
Monday at Globe Derby
Racer 7: Beaudiene Rocknroll
6.51pm NZ time
Update: Late scratched
The horse has improved with his latest run (for second) and the field looks a little weaker this time. Ammicchi and Whata Optimist can fly the gate, so the lead might not be there, but with any sort of trip he should be very competitive again.
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Cove
6.38pm
“You wouldn’t know what he’s going to do. It depends whether he wants to win or not. He trained really well last week. This week he’s been going like shit. He gets in going right-handed, so he could be worse at Auckland.”
Race 3: Frisco Bay
6.38pm
“It’s impossible to predict what might happen from the second row draw but you can put a line through his last run, they went nothing and only sprinted up the straight.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.30pm
“He went another good race last week, slightly inconvenienced at a bad time. He wasn’t very quick out of the gate but did enough to hold up three fence. It’s a smaller field this time so it might be run a bit differently but he’ll need the right trip.”
Race 5: My Copy
7.30pm
“He went another good, honest race last week, but had to come four wide on the home turn. He’s better suited in a smaller field on Friday but will need all the breaks.”
Race 10: Obadiah Dragon
9.52pm
“I think he’s our best chance. He’s an improving horse who is right in the zone. He’s better than most people think and I’m sure he’ll go a good race.”
