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.
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Nathan’s comments
Wednesday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln Maree
5.11pm
“She’s finding her feet and was a bit unlucky at Taupo. She put in a few rough ones out of the gate - she was like that early in her prep and could just jump out of it - but she’s generally doing things right now. She trained well on Saturday and, with the right run, could run top three.”
Race 3: The Night Fox
6pm
“He won really well on the second day at Hawera and if he races anything like he’s training he’ll be hard to beat. He ran a 27.3 quarter during the week and I was just sitting on him. I’ll tell Craig to go forward, set an even tempo and cut him loose at the 600. I think he’s our best of the night.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.35pm
“Hopefully he’s improved since Taupo when Fergie drove him a treat in front. I actually think he’s better coming off something’s back but I’ll leave it up to Fergie. He’s up a bit in grade but has the right draw to be in it all the way.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.32pm
“He had an easy run last week and he can go a lot faster than that. He should be hard to beat. It won’t matter if he doesn’t find the lead from six, he’ll be just as effective coming from off the pace. He’s a pretty classy horse, classier than most of those against him.”
