Make Way feeling bullet proof, says Ants, thanks to Australia’s superior handicapping
By Barry Lichter • 10 May 2019
Lincoln Farms’ partners in Make Way might have been sad to see him leave New Zealand but they’re certainly enjoying the way he is making the most of the superior handicapping system in Australia.
The smart three-year-old was untroubled to score at Penrith last night to notch his third win since arriving at Sonya Smith’s Menangle stable.
And, incredibly, only now does he rise to c1 status with six wins and 10 placings on his 30-start career sheet.
“It’s such a good system over here,’’ says Smith’s partner, top horseman Anthony Butt.
“They can pinch a few easy wins and it gets their confidence up. They start thinking they’re bullet proof.’’
Bullet proof Make Way certainly was last night when Butt eased him off the inside second row draw at the go button and enjoyed a nice run through to be three back on the outer.
“There wasn’t a lot of pace on so I took luck out of the equation, got out and around them and was able to control the race from outside the leader.
“He travels beautifully there, nicely on the bit, and I can go as fast or slow as a I like.
“He jogged it in the end and I didn’t pull the blinds down, he had plenty left and wouldn’t have blown one match out afterwards.’’
Make Way is really in the zone, says top horseman Anthony Butt.Make Way’s time for the 1720 metres of 2:05.9 represented a mile rate of 1:57.8, which was 3.4 seconds faster than the c0 race for three-year-olds and quicker than the times run by the c1 and c2 winners on the night.
And it compared very favourably with the 1:57.7 and 1:56.8 mile rates clocked by the winners of the c3 to c5 races.
Butt says Make Way is really in the zone and gives the credit to Smith.
“Sonya’s done a great job with him and treats him like her son.
“He’s really in a happy place and has a lot ahead of him.
“He has the whole package really. He has gate speed and I think he’d be a really good sit-sprint horse as well.’’
Butt hasn’t yet confirmed Make Way’s next start but says he could line up at Penrith again next week in a c1 race.
“I’d like to get back to Menangle on a Tuesday at some stage but we’ll wait until there’s a c0-c1 race, rather than a c1-c2.’’
In nine starts in Australia Make Way has now earned A$17,350 form three wins, three seconds, one third, one fourth and an eighth - when he was sick.
It’s still an occasion
The colt is raced by Duncan, John and Dave Chisholm, Warwick Orr, Bob Best, Amy Myocevich and the 10-member Excell Syndicate in partnership with Lincoln Farms’ John and Lynne Street and Ian Middleton.
Northland owner Duncan Chisholm says he and his brothers and partners still make an occasion of Make Way’s races.
“Nothing beats watching live at Alexandra Park, but we are fully behind him racing in Australia, with so many more options for the horse.
“So long as the race is not too late when he lines up we all get together and cheer him on.”
Chisholm says with Make Way racing in Australia it also gives them an excuse to fly over to watch him.
“If he goes to Queensland for the derby, Kathy and I will be there.”
Make Way’s owners whooping it up after one of his wins at Alexandra Park earlier in the season.
More news in Harness
The dream’s alive but Nate tells why he’ll wait for ‘Harry’ before racing Eric again
Ray gives reformed Rascal his ‘most likely to succeed’ report from the pole on Friday night
Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
