Ants dons the armour on Make Way for what looks a two-horse war at Newcastle tonight

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.