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
Consisent little Lincoln Lou sold to Western Australia to join fellow ex-Kiwis
Kevin Kline caps record day for Casey and loyal Lincoln Farms’ team - and can repeat
It’s bon voyage Frisky as Ray celebrates another rags to riches sale success
Huge disappointment for Lincoln Farms as exciting Colonel Lincoln bows out again
Our runners this week
Sunday at Manawatu
What’s Up The Hill, Onyx Shard, Kevin Kline (scratched), Leo Lincoln.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.44pm
“Fergie’s drive on Sunday was perfect, you couldn’t ask for better, and he said the horse was doing his best work in the last 50 metres. Maybe with another 100 metres he might have got there. His gate speed is only OK so I can see him getting crossed here.”
Race 5: Kevin Kline
6.19pm
“Fergie said he did it easily on the first day, and the horse only did what he had to. He’s been racing much nicer horses at Auckland so it was good to get the win, hopefully it will boost his confidence. I’ll leave the tactics up to Fergie but I imagine he’ll probably do the same thing again, loop the field and outstay them.”
Race 6: Onyx Shard
6.54pm
“I was hoping she’d drop down a grade. She’s had some tough trips recently, having to do a lot of work, and it didn’t help being three wide for the last lap on the first day. Also they only walked and sprinted home. She could be better coming with one run at them.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Lover
5.33pm
“He had no chance last start when trapped three wide all the way. That won’t happen this time from the inside draw so that gives him a chance to get some of it.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.33pm
“He’s shown no gate speed so the wide draw doesn’t matter. He’s coming along all right but will need lots of luck against the hot pots.”
Race 5: Debbie Lincoln
6.54pm
“She seems to have overcome her tying-up issue, her bloods are good, and she’s training well again. She could possibly be underdone and the seven draw makes it very hard.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lou
7.20pm
Scratched. Sold to Western Australia.
