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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 trainer rates them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Cambridge

Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
4.52pm

“She did a good job last week at Auckland. Throwing her in the deep end seems to have toughened her up a bit. She’s getting stronger all the time. This is a big drop in class and she’s a chance from a better gate (three).”

Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.20pm

“If the real Prince turned up he’d absolutely be hard to beat. If he leads, as he should do from two, he’s a different horse.”

Race 3: Major Copy
5.54pm

“Maurice just nursed him around on debut. He was stepping over tyre marks on the track so he didn’t want to launch him into the open too soon. We’ll put a shadow roll on him this time to stop that and I can see him going a lot better from the inside draw.”

Race 3: Jessie Lincoln
5.54pm

“I’m not saying she can’t win but it will be hard for Fergie to find a good trip from the draw. She’ll need a lot of luck but she can be right in it if things go her way as she’s training well.”

Race 5: Lincoln Dealer
6.49pm

“He’s been a slow developing horse and you can’t drive him pretty, he won’t let you, as he’s a bit of a hot head. Maurice will launch him and see where he ends up.”

Race 5: Spirit Of God
6.49pm

“She got tired late last time and started hanging a bit (hitting a marker) but I thought she went OK. She did a bit early (from a wide draw) and was still there at the finish so she’s going to win a race. You never know with second line draws but it’s usually a decent impairment.”

Race 7: Lincoln Maree
7.40pm

“She never runs a bad race. She has a big motor for a little filly and should be right in the fray.”

Race 7: Angelic Copy
7.40pm

“Maurice said she foundered a bit when they took off, and got three or four lengths behind, but she didn’t lose any more ground after that and held her place. So the run wasn’t as bad as it looked and she’ll be improved.”

Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.14pm

“It was a non-event last time (from a stand) and he’s a good horse who will be vying for the lead from five and deserves to be favourite.”

Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.14pm

“Peter (Ferguson) said he didn’t feel as sharp last week as in the past so I’ve given him a little freshen-up with a light week and he should go better.”

Dan Costello Race Photography