Make Way by a big space in 1:53 - and Ants says he did it in second gear
By Barry Lichter • 6 July 2019
Top horseman Anthony Butt is adamant Make Way will be competitive in the two derbies coming up after the little colt won by a wide space at Albion Park on Friday night.
Despite being warned by everyone that no matter how good your horse is, it’s very hard to win from the outside of the second row over 1660 metres, Make Way jogged it, scoring by nearly 20 metres in a 1:53 mile rate.
“And he did it in second gear,’’ says Butt. “He just cruised it up the straight and was never all out.
“There’ll be two or three really good horses against him in the derbies but I’m sure he’ll be competitive.”
Butt knows the All Stars’ pair of Self Assured and Jesse Duke will be tough in Saturday’s A$31,000 South East Derby, and there’s a chance the Blue Army’s top filly Our Princess Tiffany might also contest the A$100,000 Queensland Derby on July 20.
“But it will come down to draws and with the right run, he’ll give them a fright.’’
Make Way is doing it easily as he romps clear at Albion Park on Friday night.Butt was again impressed by the way May Way scored on Friday to make it five wins from his last six starts and six in all for his partner Sonya Smith since starting his Australian campaign in late January.
“He’s got the all round game now. I’d love to draw well next week as he has really good gate speed but he’s also so adaptable. He had to do a bit of work to get to the death last night but he relaxed so well out there.’’
Butt let Make Way roll forward out of the gate without getting into any of the early fireworks and was able to work round the field during the slowest second quarter of 30.3.
“We were lucky that horse (Janies Got A Gun) I was following didn’t pull back to last and went forward instead, or we could have been in trouble.
“But considering he was never on the track, three wide to the death, he ran very good time.’’
Make Way sprinted his last 800 metres, outside the leader, in 55.8, home in 28.3 to race clear of Couldntbetold and tiring leader Soldier Of Fortune.
Only Smooth Sailor, in the rating 75 to 85 event that followed, ran faster overall time on the night, clocking 1:52.3, home in 56.9 and 29.1.
“He’s had a great preparation, everything’s gone perfectly to plan,” says Butt of Make Way.
“He had some racing, then a break, as rather than racing him every week we chose to peak him for the big races.
“He had a bit of a blow last night and I’m sure he’ll now be spot on for the big ones.
“You always need a bit of luck in big races but he’s flying and he’s a great wee opportunist, the perfect article.’’
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.”
