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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 Auckland

Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm

“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”

Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm

“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”

Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm

“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”

Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm

“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”

Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm

“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”

Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm

“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”

Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm

“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”

Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm

“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”

Dan Costello Race Photography