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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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
