Make Way … a complete professional who has finished in the top three in 18 of his 24 starts in Australia. PHOTO: Ashlea Brennan.
Ants: Make Way will find it tough to beat the superstars but he can qualify for the Chariots
By Barry Lichter • 7 February 2020
Make Way will find it tough to beat flying machines Self Assured and Balraj at Menangle on Saturday night but top driver Anthony Butt believes he’s going well enough to get some of the money and qualify for the A$200,000 Chariots Of Fire.
Make Way will come in to gate six in the Group II A$50,000 Hondo Grattan (mobile 1609m) which is sure to be run at hectic speed with the All Stars’ Self Assured and former Kiwi Balraj in such hot form.
In their last starts Self Assured ran second to Lochinvar Art in the Four-Year-Old Bonanza at Melton rating 1:48.6 over 1720 metres and Balraj extended his unbeaten streak since leaving New Zealand to eight, winning at Menangle in 1:49.9.
“Luckily those good ones are outside us,” says Butt. “Supreme Dominator may look to lead but we’ll come out hard and fast and hopefully cross to a good spot on the fence. If we can’t, we’ll settle one off and one of those good ones should come across and give us cover.
“It’s such a good field we have to go forward. You don’t want to be in the back half of the field.”
Is there a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for Make Way in the Chariots Of Fire?Butt says Make Way, who is the second highest rated horse in the field behind Self Assured, is in perfect order and should run a bold race.
“He’s been racing at as high a level as most of the others and acquitting himself well.
“Those two favourites are great horses but I think he’s right in behind them. It won’t be easy for him on Saturday but if he could make the final we’d be rapt.”
Spots in the Chariots Of Fire on February 22 can be earned by finishing in the first four on Saturday night and in next week’s Paleface Adios Stakes.
Bonanza winner Lochinvar Art is guaranteed a berth and the final place goes to the fastest fifth qualifier.
Butt says Make Way’s win at Penrith last week has cleaned him right up for the Menangle four-year-old series.
“I couldn’t be happier with him. He trained great yesterday and today had a jog and canter and felt terrific.”
Since Make Way joined the stable of trainer Sonya Smith at Menangle 12 months ago he has raced 24 times for 11 wins, four seconds and three thirds for prize money of A$78,923.
He is raced by Lincoln Farms, Ian Middleton, Amy Myocevich, the 10-women Excell Syndicate, Bob Best, Duncan, John and Dave Chisholm and Warwick Orr.
Make Way races at 11.27pm NZ time at Menangle on Saturday night.
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Ray’s comments
Wednesday at Cambridge
Race 3: Spiritual Bliss
1.10pm
“You can’t fault what she’s done up here and she’s trained on really well since Manawatu. She seems to have a good motor and can carry her speed a long way. It’s a bit of a step-up on Wednesday, and she’s drawn out a bit, but she should be right in the fray.”
Race 4: Lincoln Lover
1.45pm
“It’s a huge drop in class for him on what he’s been racing. The Purdon horse Crippa Max looks the one to beat on his trial but I’m picking we’ll finish in the first three at worst. He’s very honest and does nothing wrong.”
Race 6: Lincoln Downs
2.55pm
“She got skittled early last time when one galloped in front of her, and that didn’t help. It would be nice to see her get a good trip, with no incidents, and see what she can do. She’s no superstar but she tries hard.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
4.31pm
“It’s his first race for more than four months and I’m picking he’ll need the run. It was a toss-up whether we went to the trials, but he’d probably have had no opposition, so it made sense to drop him in here. He’s training well and seems in good shape but whatever he does, he’ll improve on.”
