Make Way, obscured by training partner Lets Strike The Gold, stretches out in his work at Menangle.
Ants dons the armour on Make Way for what looks a two-horse war at Newcastle tonight
By Barry Lichter • 17 May 2019
On paper, it looks like a two-horse race: Make Way v Mongolian Archer.
And when the starter says go in the fifth race at Newcastle tonight, at 9.33pm NZ time, both horses will undoubtedly be gunning for the lead.
Top horseman Anthony Butt says he’ll know in the first 20 to 50 metres whether Luke McCarthy is determined to hold the lead on pole runner Mongolian Archer.
While drawn outside him in two, Butt says Make Way has serious gate speed, which will make for a thrilling opening encounter.
“I don’t want to end up sitting outside him so if he doesn’t let me go, hopefully I’ll end up in the trail.
“Either way it will be a good test for him.’’
Make Way … looking in great condition this week.The one edge that Make Way does have on his main opponent is race fitness.
When Mongolian Archer resumed at Menangle 10 days ago he was having his first race for three years. Despite that he all but led them all the way over 1609 metres, collared late, a head, by Cowboys N Indians in 1:54.9.
Mongolian Archer, who showed real early promise winning four of his previous 10 starts for Paul Court in Canterbury, will obviously be improved for the run, says Butt.
“This looks a bit of a step down in class for him too.
“But our fellow is at the peak of his powers. He’s really thriving and his work since he won at Penrith has been great.’’
Make Way also ran a full two seconds faster than Mongolian Archer in his last go round Menangle, clocking 1:52.84 in April.
Butt says the 940 metre Newcastle circuit isn’t the best smaller track in New South Wales, its bends not cambered as well as many others.
“But he got round Penrith well and Newcastle has quite a long straight (220 metres).’’
Make Way was to have travelled the 160km to Newcastle with stablemate Let’s Strike The Gold, who was set to resume after nearly nine months on the sidelines.
But his race was canned, leaving Butt and training partner Sonya Smith now looking at several options next week.
“He’s probably working as good as he ever has so the break could have been a blessing in disguise,’’ says Butt.
How the Aussie form experts see Make Way’s race tonight.
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What’s Up with the trotter? - Ray ‘guilty’ of being very optimistic for debut on Friday night
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
Kevin Kline, What’s Up The Hill, Sugar Ray Lincoln, Lincoln Lou, Debbie Lincoln, Colonel Lincoln, Frisco Bay.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
6.07pm
“He didn’t go very well in his workout right-handed last Thursday but he was good on Saturday when we trained him left-handed. It’s his first race for three months so he could possibly need it but we’re talking Manawatu opposition.”
Race 7: Onyx Shard
7.01pm
“She’s absolutely a winning chance. She showed that last time when she had to do a fair bit to hold the lead. Fergie is driving her this time and we’re pretty confident she’ll go well. She’s such a well-gaited mare.”
Race 8: Lincoln La Moose
7.25pm
“He dominated them last time from the outside of the gate and, even though he can be in and out, he’ll be hard to beat again. That easier opposition makes a difference when there’s nothing good enough to eye-ball you. “
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
6.50pm
“He was very unlucky on night one. The gap sort of opened up then closed again and I had to take hold. He was still charging to the line and if the gap had come he would have been right there with the winner. If he can step and lead, then slot into the trail, he should be a winning chance.”
Race 6: Onyx Shard
7.17pm
“Ferg said she wasn’t on the bit the whole way on Tuesday, was too relaxed. We’ll take the block blinds off this time and put half blinds on and see if that helps. She had to do a bit of work in the run on Tuesday but it doesn’t seem to have knocked her around. The outside draw makes it harder.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
7.39pm
“He looks our best chance of the night. He’s definitely a different horse down here and he obviously likes it in front. Ferg didn’t pull the plugs the other night and that tells you something. He’s doing everything right, I can’t fault him.”
