Locals abuzz as Make Way peels off a 55.5 half - and now it’s full steam ahead to Queensland

When Make Way scored a hat-trick last night at Newcastle he became New Zealand’s 12th leading stake earning three-year-old.

And now high-flying Menangle trainer Sonya Smith and her partner Anthony Butt will turn their sights on the bigger money, targeting three derbies at the Queensland winter carnival.

Mr Consistency Make Way took his Australian record to four wins, three seconds, one third and one fourth from 10 starts when he easily gathered in the pacemaking second favourite Mongolian Archer in the home stretch.

And the A$3900 winner’s purse took his bankroll across the Tasman to A$21,250 which, combined with his New Zealand earnings this season of $36,409, elevates him into the exalted company of the best performed three-year-olds.

The big partnership that races Make Way with Lincoln Farms owners John and Lynne Street and business manager Ian Middleton have enjoyed six wins and eight placings with the little colt this season.

And the “little beauty”, as Butt calls him, has also put a spring in the step of Smith who with a little team of two racing has geared up six winners from her last seven starters, Monarchy trotter Reign On Me chiming in with three wins from her last five starts.

“With only five in work, including a couple of young ones, Sonya’s doing a tremendous job,’’ says Butt.

“This guy is just a great wee racehorse. He has the all round game and has really stepped up in his last three starts.

“He’s a beaut to drive, he comes off the gate, relaxes and drops the bit, and he’s got that fast sprint at the finish.’’

Make Way’s ability to follow speed and still reel off fast closing sectionals is one reason why Butt believes he could mix it in tougher company in Queensland.

“It’s the only major aim left for him this season as he’s not eligible for the New South Wales and Vicbred features. He’s only three once so he may as well have a crack in Queensland.

“If it’s too tough he can always drop back to class racing - he’s a c2 now - but I’m sure he’ll be competitive.

“If he gets in a fast run race he’ll still be able to peel off a 26 second quarter.’’

Trainer Sonya Smith with partner Anthony Butt who are doing a great job with Make Way.Impressive on the clock

Butt says all the locals at Newcastle last night were talking about what a great last half Make Way paced in his 2.3 metre win in c1 grade.

The colt was clocked home in 55.5 and 27.7, much quicker than the 56.7 Benicio ran when taking the c4 to c7 race, although his overall mile rate of 1:57.2 was faster than Make Way’s 1:58.2.

In comparison, London Delight clocked only a mile rate of 2:00.6 in the other 2030 metre c1 race, home in 59.1, and I Am Serengeti clocked 1:59.1 in the c2 to c3 race, closing in 58.3.

“We didn’t go much early,’’ said Butt who quickly pulled out of what could have been a real speed duel for the top.

“I saw in the preliminary that Mongolian Archer had a pulling bit on and he looked pretty revved up.

“You also get a good indication behind the gate on how a horse is going to come out and I had to make a quick decision before someone else got into the trail.’’

The decision proved to be spot on as Make Way enjoyed a beautiful trail all the way and stuck like glue to the leader even when he threw in a 27.8 third quarter.

“When I peeled out I collared him pretty easily,’’ says Butt. “It was a nice easy run for him in the end as I had plenty up my sleeve.’’

Butt says Make Way will now have a little break of a few days and he plans to give him one start before trekking north to Brisbane, with his first target in five weeks.

The three races he wants to contest are the:

• A$21,110 Redcliffe Derby (2040m) on June 22
• A$31,400 South East Derby (2138m) at Albion Park on July 13 and
• A$100,660 Queensland Derby (2680m) at Albion Park on July 20.

That opens the intriguing prospect of Lincoln Farms and its partners having two horses in the three-year-old features with Trojan Banner already earmarked for the series.