Make Way runs them into the dust, smashing Goulburn track record for three-year-olds
By Barry Lichter • 29 April 2019
Make Way made a real statement at Goulburn today, leading almost the entire way to score in track record time for a three-year-old.
And, incredibly, the Australian rating system sees the horse eligible for the same grade at his next start!
Lincoln Farms’ smart colt did exactly what trainer-driver Anthony Butt predicted today, gunning out to wrest the lead after a couple of hundred metres and running his rivals ragged in 2:42.3, a mile rate of 1:56.6, taking a whopping 2.2 seconds off the three-year-old mark for 2240 metres.
When Butt put his foot down before the home turn only I’m Bruce Almighty could stay with him, closing the gap to 1.2 metres close to home.
Anthony Butt … Every time Make Way lines up he’s competitive.“He had to burn at both ends and we were the only one that did work early to be still there at the finish,’’ says Butt. “The others were dropping out down the back.
“I think they might have hand timed it and mucked the sectionals up but his overall time was electric.’’
The fierce tempo set by Make Way was reflected by the fact the third horse home, Hellofalass, was 18.5 metres behind the runner-up.
The win took Make Way’s Australian record to two wins, three seconds, one third and one fourth from eight starts, a model of consistency which Butt admires.
The A$13,750 in prizemoney he has earned takes his overall season tally to more than $50,000.
“There’s nothing major on the horizon for a while. We’ll just poke around and look for the same sort of race for him and keep the money coming in.’’
Make Way kept his army of supporters happy, paying $1.40 on the New Zealand tote and $1.30 in Australia (not $133 as recorded!).
More news in Harness
Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Argyle out of action, injured, and barrier draw will take Nemo out of play too on Saturday
Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
