Make Way, obscured by training partner Lets Strike The Gold, stretches out in his work at Menangle.
Ants dons the armour on Make Way for what looks a two-horse war at Newcastle tonight
By Barry Lichter • 17 May 2019
On paper, it looks like a two-horse race: Make Way v Mongolian Archer.
And when the starter says go in the fifth race at Newcastle tonight, at 9.33pm NZ time, both horses will undoubtedly be gunning for the lead.
Top horseman Anthony Butt says he’ll know in the first 20 to 50 metres whether Luke McCarthy is determined to hold the lead on pole runner Mongolian Archer.
While drawn outside him in two, Butt says Make Way has serious gate speed, which will make for a thrilling opening encounter.
“I don’t want to end up sitting outside him so if he doesn’t let me go, hopefully I’ll end up in the trail.
“Either way it will be a good test for him.’’
Make Way … looking in great condition this week.The one edge that Make Way does have on his main opponent is race fitness.
When Mongolian Archer resumed at Menangle 10 days ago he was having his first race for three years. Despite that he all but led them all the way over 1609 metres, collared late, a head, by Cowboys N Indians in 1:54.9.
Mongolian Archer, who showed real early promise winning four of his previous 10 starts for Paul Court in Canterbury, will obviously be improved for the run, says Butt.
“This looks a bit of a step down in class for him too.
“But our fellow is at the peak of his powers. He’s really thriving and his work since he won at Penrith has been great.’’
Make Way also ran a full two seconds faster than Mongolian Archer in his last go round Menangle, clocking 1:52.84 in April.
Butt says the 940 metre Newcastle circuit isn’t the best smaller track in New South Wales, its bends not cambered as well as many others.
“But he got round Penrith well and Newcastle has quite a long straight (220 metres).’’
Make Way was to have travelled the 160km to Newcastle with stablemate Let’s Strike The Gold, who was set to resume after nearly nine months on the sidelines.
But his race was canned, leaving Butt and training partner Sonya Smith now looking at several options next week.
“He’s probably working as good as he ever has so the break could have been a blessing in disguise,’’ says Butt.
How the Aussie form experts see Make Way’s race tonight.
More news in Harness
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Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
