Make Way sneaks into the Chariots Of Fire but Ants says he’ll need a perfect draw
By Barry Lichter • 16 February 2020
Game four-year-old Make Way will represent Lincoln Farms in next Saturday’s A$200,000 Chariots Of Fire (mobile 1609m) at Menangle after scraping into the field as the final qualifier.
Make Way failed to capitalise on a perfect one-one sit in the Paleface Adios Mile tonight, feeling the pressure before the home turn and only battling into ninth behind hot favourite Hurricane Harley who clocked 1:50.6.
But Make Way still made the cut for the big four-year-old feature courtesy of his fifth last week in the Hondo Grattan because he ran faster time than tonight’s fifth-placed horse Catch A Moment.
The star-studded line-up is headlined by Melton Four-Year-Old Bonanza principals Lochinvar Art and Self Assured.
Some of the Make Way team whooping it up after one of his Alexandra Park wins.Make Way’s driver Anthony Butt says the barrier draw for the race will be all important, believing his little warrior could sneak some of the money if he can snare a good possie on the gate.
Just contesting the race will be a thrill for Make Way’s many partners who include Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street, their business manager Ian Middleton, Amy Myocevich, Auckland veteran Bob Best, the north’s Chisholm brothers, Duncan, John and Dave and their friend Warwick Orr and the 10-member Excell syndicate, a group of women who all originated from the Hunua.
Chariots Of Fire
A$200,000 Mobile 1609 metres.
(Not in barrier draw order)
11314 Culture King
42842 Demon Delight
11313 Fourbigmen
14131 Hurricane Harley
51517 Lochinvar Art
34159 Make Way
51253 Max Delight
24212 Out To Play
42154 Rockin Marty
11221 Self Assured
Emergencies:
63015 Catch A Moment
26166 Supreme Dominator
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.”
