Make Way’s happy group of owners greet their horse in the winners’ circle at Alexandra Park last night. PHOTO: Race Images
Chisholm clan having a ball with Make Way
By Barry Lichter • 21 September 2018
For years Duncan Chisholm used to tell his wife he’d love to have a share in a pacer. And but for a chance meeting 18 months ago he’d still be dreaming about it.
But today Chisholm, his two brothers John and Dave and their mate Warwick “Whack” Orr, are living the dream, racing talented three-year-old Make Way.
And they, along with a bunch of other newbies, were there in the winners’ circle at Alexandra Park last Friday night celebrating their incredible luck after Make Way donkey licked his opposition in only his second run back from a spell.
Chisholm, who at 65 is still fit enough to mow lawns for a living, plays to a 10 handicap at his local Mangawhai golf course where he met Lincoln Farms’ boss John Street at a pro-am 18 months ago.
“He was up here with a pro who I ended up billeting and caddying for, and afterwards John said why don’t I get a few mates together and take a share in one of his horses.’’
Chisholm’s only previous contact with harness racing’s elite was when his daughter gifted him a dual sulky ride at Auckland for this 60th birthday and he ended up sitting beside top reinsman David Butcher.
Chisholm could never have imagined that Butcher would end up driving a winner for him in Make Way.
Chisholm missed seeing Make Way run a close fourth in June’s Harness Jewels at Cambridge, recovering after a sinus operation, but he says the entire experience has been awesome.
“We come down from Mangawhai Heads for the trots on a Friday and often end up staying the night as we have such a ball.
Make Way and David Butcher are in cruise mode. PHOTO: Race Images
“John and Lynne are so generous and welcoming and make it really special. It’s a huge amount of fun.’’
Chisholm says an old codger he plays golf with warned him that he’d be continually pouring money down the drain owning a horse and his wife was a bit weary about it at first too.
But when he discovered Lincoln Farms’ partnerships have a fix costs structure and was told they guaranteed him a winner, or his money back, he was in.
“We put in $2000 each to start with and pay only $15 a week. I wouldn’t have been able to afford it otherwise and couldn’t have got other people interested.’’
Make Way is the third horse Chisholm and his buddies have had a 10% share in. Their first winner Linc’s Tiger was sold to Perth after winning at Cambridge last August when they were put into another horse Linc’s Grace.
Chisholm says they briefly dubbed the filly Linc’s DisGrace but Lincoln Farms quickly got shot of the filly after she won a race last December and true to their word transferred the team into Make Way as a replacement.
Chisholm and his brothers are excited at the prospect of Make Way being set on a Sires’ Stakes path and are already angling at getting a little piece of his two-year-old half brother Man Of Action.
Make Way’s dam Grace Way has yet to produce a dud with full brother Three Ways the winner of 17 races and more than $200,000 in Australia, talented half brother Forgotten Highway a five race winner ranked 17th on the entry order for the New Zealand Trotting Cup and Shanway, the winner of two of only 12 starts.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
