Ants: It’s on to the Chariots Of Fire after a red hot Make Way blazes in at Penrith
By Barry Lichter • 31 January 2020
Make Way confirmed he is in perfect condition for his assault on the Chariots Of Fire after he cruised home at Penrith last night.
“He never left second gear,” said top driver Anthony Butt after the horse’s 4.3 metre win over Pump The Brakes.
“Everything worked out perfectly and it was a nice run for him. We did a bit of work early but he had plenty left at the finish.”
Forced four wide round the first turn as drivers inside him battled to hold the early lead so they could land the trail behind Make Way, Butt just pressed on until he found the top, only having to run a 29.3 quarter to do it.
Close to home and Make Way has broken their hearts at Penrith.And after a quieter section in 30.9, Butt upped the ante with a 28.8 third quarter which left his rivals struggling, and ripped home in 27.8 to win untested, returning his fans in New Zealand a $1.20 dividend.
Make Way’s overall time for the 1720 metres was 2:04.3, a mile rate of 1:56.3.
“That was a perfect top-off for him. He needed the run a bit. Everything’s gone 110% in the lead-up and I’d say he’s as good as we can get him for the Chariots. He’s flying.
“But it’s a sensational crop of four-year-olds and it won’t be easy with horses like Self Assured and Lochinvar Art against us.
“We’ve got to have a crack though and, while we’re not expecting too much of him, we’d be rapt if he could make the final.
“And, who knows, the way he’s going, he could surprise.”
Trainer Sonya Smith, who has now won five races and A$39,000 with Make Way just this season, will now test the horse in the A$50,000 Hondo Grattan (1609m) on February 8 and A$50,000 Paleface Adios (1609m) a week later.
The main event, the A$200,000 Chariots Of Fire (1609m), is at Menangle on February 22.
More news in Harness
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
