Ants: It’s on to the Chariots Of Fire after a red hot Make Way blazes in at Penrith

Make Way confirmed he is in perfect condition for his assault on the Chariots Of Fire after he cruised home at Penrith last night.

“He never left second gear,” said top driver Anthony Butt after the horse’s 4.3 metre win over Pump The Brakes.

“Everything worked out perfectly and it was a nice run for him. We did a bit of work early but he had plenty left at the finish.”

Forced four wide round the first turn as drivers inside him battled to hold the early lead so they could land the trail behind Make Way, Butt just pressed on until he found the top, only having to run a 29.3 quarter to do it.

Close to home and Make Way has broken their hearts at Penrith.And after a quieter section in 30.9, Butt upped the ante with a 28.8 third quarter which left his rivals struggling, and ripped home in 27.8 to win untested, returning his fans in New Zealand a $1.20 dividend.

Make Way’s overall time for the 1720 metres was 2:04.3, a mile rate of 1:56.3.

“That was a perfect top-off for him. He needed the run a bit. Everything’s gone 110% in the lead-up and I’d say he’s as good as we can get him for the Chariots. He’s flying.

“But it’s a sensational crop of four-year-olds and it won’t be easy with horses like Self Assured and Lochinvar Art against us.

“We’ve got to have a crack though and, while we’re not expecting too much of him, we’d be rapt if he could make the final.

“And, who knows, the way he’s going, he could surprise.”

Trainer Sonya Smith, who has now won five races and A$39,000 with Make Way just this season, will now test the horse in the A$50,000 Hondo Grattan (1609m) on February 8 and A$50,000 Paleface Adios (1609m) a week later.

The main event, the A$200,000 Chariots Of Fire (1609m), is at Menangle on February 22.