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.
More news in Harness
Argyle out of action, injured, and barrier draw will take Nemo out of play too on Saturday
Rampaging La Moose growing on Ray and right-handed shouldn’t be a worry
Grins night joy: Frisco Bay clears maidens in style and Ray’s hoping he’ll now go on with it
Ray: We shouldn’t be forced into being cannon fodder for Sires’ Stakes stars
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Lincoln La Moose
6.23pm
“I wasn’t expecting him to race so tough on debut. He seems to be one of those horses who puts their best foot forward when the money is up. Right-handed shouldn’t bother him and he’d have to be in it again from the good draw.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
8.14pm
“From the inside draw he should get another perfect trip and he’ll go well again, even though there are higher rated horses in the field.”
Race 8: Debbie Lincoln
9.05pm
“She has a lot of ability but the first time she’s got round without galloping was at the trials last week. If she can do that again I’ll be happy. She’s a little bit nervy but we seem to be getting on top of that.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 2: Captain Nemo
7.54pm NZ time
“It’s a strong, even field and we can’t make too much happen from that second row alley. We’ll need something to go our way in the running. It’s very hard to predict how things will pan out but he’ll run a race.”
