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
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
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.”
