Make Way (Andre Poutama) leads Parker early in his heat at Pukekohe today with Trojan Banner heading the rest of the pack.
Make Way shows early lick at Pukekohe workouts
By Barry Lichter • 20 October 2018
Make Way showed another string to his bow for Friday night’s Sires’ Stakes heat when he scored a convincing win at the Pukekohe workouts today.
Trainer Ray Green was delighted to see Make Way sprint off the arm in his heat, leading for the first part of the 2050 metres before handing up to stablemate Trojan Banner.
And it was that early part of the workout, more than his powerful finish to reel in Trojan Banner by a head, which earned the big tick from Green.
“He hasn’t shown any gate speed before so it’s nice to know he has some.’’
Both Make Way and Trojan Banner tackle the last Sires’ Stakes heat in the north at Auckland on Friday night and showed they were perfectly primed.
Timed over the trip in 2:36.5, the pair clocked a mile rate of 2:02.9 and closed in 58.8 and 28, with half a length to Ideal Star and a head to Best Western.
Recco Lover trails the Barry Purdon pair On The Cards and Mach Shard at Pukekohe today.Recco Lover strong
Recco Lover, placed in each of his four starts this campaign, showed he was hard fit for Friday night when third behind the much higher rated Barry Purdon-trained pair On The Cards and Mach Shard.
Recco Lover led out then trailed before unwinding strongly to finish on the back of On The Cards and Mach Shard, with slick sectionals of 57.1 and 26.5.
They cut out the 2500 metre stand in 3:15.2, a mile rate of 2:05.7.
Mathew James weak
Mathew James dropped to the rear of his 2050 metre heat from widest on the gate and never improved, outpaced when the sprint went on and beat only one home.
Two-year-old pair smart
Sweet Lou colts Perfect Stride and Double Or Nothing, the best two-year-olds in Lincoln Farms’ barn, handled their first test behind the mobile in great style.
Double Or Nothing (David Butcher) led Perfect Stride (Zachary Butcher) and Man Of Action (Andre Poutama) in the running, all three behaving well amid the extra buzz of workout day.
When Man Of Action broke on the final bend after leaning on his pole the leading pair cleared out, clocking 59.2 and a sharp 27.5, Perfect Stride credited with a half head margin at the post.
“That’s the fastest they’ve gone,’’ said Green of the 2:07.9 mile.
All three colts are bred to be good, Perfect Stride a half brother to leading New Zealand Cup fancy Chicago Bull, Double Or Nothing a half brother to Tim Butt’s Let It Ride, winner of his last six starts including the Group I Blacks A Fake, and Man Of Action a half brother to cup contender Forgotten Highway.
Double Or Nothing leads Perfect Stride and Man Of Action in the two-year-old learners’ heat today.
More news in Harness
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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
Rampaging La Moose growing on Ray and right-handed shouldn’t be a worry
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.”
