Make Way rushes home down the outer to run second in today’s trial at Menangle.
Relief for Ants and Sonya: Make Way’s finally back and he’s off to race in Melbourne
By Barry Lichter • 23 September 2020
Three months of frustrations finally look to be over for the connections of talented pacer Make Way.
When the four-year-old stepped out at today’s Menangle trials, it was his first run since June but you wouldn’t have known it the way he dashed up the home straight to run second to speedy pacer One Hell Of A Ride.
Driver Anthony Butt (wearing the Rosati colours of yellow and light blue diamonds) crossed from nine on the gate to be fourth on the markers and said the horse travelled well throughout.
“And when I pulled out in the straight he zipped up well.”
The winner was clocked to run the mile in 1:54.4, closing his last half in 55.8 and quarter in 27.3.
“These trials are often like a week’s work because they go so fast but that was just perfect for him today.
“He seems to be over all his hiccups now and the plan is to take him to Melbourne with a team next week.
Anthony Butt with Make Way at Menangle.“There are no trials here next week so we’ll either give him a private trial or trial him when we get to Melbourne.
“There are some good races for him there in his grade, whereas here he’d be thrown into the free-for-alls.”
Butt said he and trainer Sonya Smith felt sorry for Lincoln Farms and its partners in Make Way over the setbacks the horse has endured in the last three months.
After weakening out in a 1:50.9 mile on June 13, it was discovered the horse had a foot abscess which lingered for weeks.
“It just wouldn’t burst and in the end we had to lance it at the back of the bulb. The same thing happened to (My) Field Marshal a couple of years ago.
“We even X-rayed it because we thought there must be a foreign object in there but there wasn’t.”
When the foot finally came right and Make Way was ready to go again, he caught a bad cold.
“A virus went through the whole of Menangle. Our team all got it and there’s not much you can do, you just have to wait it out.
“Luckily it happened in the middle of winter so he didn’t miss any big races but I was still pulling my hair out.”
Make Way is being aimed at the A$50,000 Four-year-old Breeders’ Crown (2240m) at Melton on November 21.
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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 3: Jessie Lincoln
6.39pm
“She was very good first-up - Harry said she was still coming at the line - and I’m sure she’ll go pretty well again. The way she trains over 2400 metres, you’d think the extra 500 metres will help.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.39pm
“I was quite happy with her last run at Cambridge, she’s improved a lot since Auckland. It’s a shame she’s got a bad draw this week but if she can hit the line well again, I’ll be happy.”
Race 5: Dreams Of Eric
7.34pm
“I think he’ll be a good chance because he continues to train very well. I’ll leave it up to Harry how he drives him this week but you’d think he’d lead again.”
Nathan’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Tyson
6.52pm
“He had to do a bit much work last time - from a niggly draw he went round and sat parked. He’s drawn three on Friday, which is perfect, as he can just mooch up there. He keeps going good races in stronger fields and needs two more starts and some more points to qualify for the Golden Gait.”
Race 8: Kevin Kline
9.24pm
“He’s up against the better ones now, like Cold Chisel, but he keeps doing a good job. He’s a tough horse who keeps improving and he’s training really well. I thought he’d be a chance.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Addington
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“I was pretty pleased with the way she went last time. It was unfortunate she had to cop such a tough trip but she showed she is competitive - not many in the race could have done what she did. Maurice said if he’d pushed her out, she would have finished a bit closer. I can’t fault her. She recovered quickly and looks great. She’s no 100-to-one shot. All she needs is a bit of luck.”
