Ants looking for early fireworks at Menangle for Make Way - and he could just get them
By Barry Lichter • 22 April 2019
Only the draw beat Make Way at his last start and top horseman Anthony Butt fears it could be the same story at Menangle on Tuesday.
Courtesy of his consistent form, Lincoln Farms’ colt draws nine of 10 in the mile at 5.33pm NZ time.
And Butt says he needs some early fireworks to give him the chance to score in what is a good and very even line-up.
“That draw makes it tricky again,’’ says Butt. “I’ll be hoping for a bit of action early so I can slot in somewhere.’’
Make Way drew two on the second line last start and was forced to cover plenty of extra ground three wide to get into the party.
Towed forward from the 800, he ended up solo three wide at the 600 and outside the leader Typhoon Stride turning for home.
Anthony Butt … prepares Make Way at Menangle with partner Sonya Smith.Make Way kept coming in the straight, getting almost alongside pacemaker Typhoon Stride before being outstayed late by a neck.
“He went great,’’ says Butt. “Only the draw beat him. He had to make his run a fair way out.
“It’s an even field on Tuesday and the others have drawn better than him again so we’ll need some luck.’’
What could play into Butt’s hands is the presence of former Kiwi Up All Nite who will be having his first start for trainers Shane and Lauren Tritton.
From the ace draw, he is sure to be gunned out after showing real transformation a recent mile trial at Menangle when he won by 18 metres and paced 1:53.2, six tenths of a second faster than Typhoon Stride’s winning race time over Make Way.
“Typhoon Stride got out pretty fast in that race too so they could do a bit early,’’ says Butt.
Alongside Up All Nite in two is another former Kiwi in Wahs Fire Bug, who debuted in 1:55.3 at Winton last month.
Throw in Leonidas, who has won eight of his 16 starts, from the outside of the gate and there are the makings of a good contest.
Butt says he’ll consider taking Make Way to Brisbane in July for the Queensland Derby should his form warrant the trip.
“There aren’t many big races he’s eligible for so if he’s going well closer to the time that’s definitely in the back of my mind.’’
Make Way races at 5.33pm NZ time on Tuesday.
More news in Harness
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Onyx Shard can keep the ball rolling for Ray and Nathan at Manawatu on Tuesday
Ray and Debbie both in the money at the Park with speedy ‘Frisky’ and precocious ‘Angela’
What’s Up with the trotter? - Ray ‘guilty’ of being very optimistic for debut on Friday night
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
Kevin Kline, What’s Up The Hill, Sugar Ray Lincoln, Lincoln Lou, Debbie Lincoln, Colonel Lincoln, Frisco Bay.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
6.07pm
“He didn’t go very well in his workout right-handed last Thursday but he was good on Saturday when we trained him left-handed. It’s his first race for three months so he could possibly need it but we’re talking Manawatu opposition.”
Race 7: Onyx Shard
7.01pm
“She’s absolutely a winning chance. She showed that last time when she had to do a fair bit to hold the lead. Fergie is driving her this time and we’re pretty confident she’ll go well. She’s such a well-gaited mare.”
Race 8: Lincoln La Moose
7.25pm
“He dominated them last time from the outside of the gate and, even though he can be in and out, he’ll be hard to beat again. That easier opposition makes a difference when there’s nothing good enough to eye-ball you. “
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
6.50pm
“He was very unlucky on night one. The gap sort of opened up then closed again and I had to take hold. He was still charging to the line and if the gap had come he would have been right there with the winner. If he can step and lead, then slot into the trail, he should be a winning chance.”
Race 6: Onyx Shard
7.17pm
“Ferg said she wasn’t on the bit the whole way on Tuesday, was too relaxed. We’ll take the block blinds off this time and put half blinds on and see if that helps. She had to do a bit of work in the run on Tuesday but it doesn’t seem to have knocked her around. The outside draw makes it harder.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
7.39pm
“He looks our best chance of the night. He’s definitely a different horse down here and he obviously likes it in front. Ferg didn’t pull the plugs the other night and that tells you something. He’s doing everything right, I can’t fault him.”
