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
Unlucky Leo worth a dollar in the cup and La Moose can go close again on Thursday night
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.”
