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Make Way has shown he can follow a hot speed and tough it out. PHOTO: Race Images.

Hard work on Make Way pays off and he’ll take his place in the big New Year’s Eve final

Make Way is back in business and will take his place in Monday’s $200,000 Sales Series Final at Auckland.

Trainer Ray Green feared the worst after the colt pulled a shoe and punctured his foot last Wednesday.

But after two days of tubbing and poulticing, Make Way stepped out surprisingly sound on Saturday morning and Green was able to work the horse.

“He just got better and better and the worry’s all over now. He came through the work well and is nice and sound and back to where he should be.’’

Green says Make Way didn’t miss any work and will hopefully get his chance from the inside of the second row in the big three-year-old finale.

Make Way follows out the now $1.20 unbeaten favourite Ultimate Sniper whose driver Natalie Rasmussen will no doubt be keen to stave off the early attention of Heisenberg in two to avoid being pocketed.

The prospect of getting the perfect suck along in the trail has seen make Make Way hold his place as sixth favourite at $35.

With the large stake, Make Way’s 18 owners would pick up nearly $8500 if he can even run fourth which is more than he received for winning his last race in November.

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Thursday night at Cambridge

Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm

“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”

Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm

“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”

Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm

“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”

Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm

“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm

“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”

Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm

“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”

Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm

“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”

Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm

“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”

Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm

“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”

Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm

“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”

Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm

“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”

Race Images - Harness