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.
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No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
