Goldie and Make Way go round this week to prep for upcoming Queensland campaign
By Barry Lichter • 11 June 2019
Don’t expect too much from Lets Strike The Gold and Make Way this week as both pacers have a conditioning run before campaigning in Queensland.
Lets Strike The Gold meets some smart types in the fifth race at Bathurst on Wednesday evening while Make Way also runs into a handy field in the second race at Penrith on Thursday night.
The assignments are more about getting the two Sydney-based pacers fit, Lets Strike The Gold after a long absence and Make Way who was given a freshen-up after his winning hat-trick at Goulburn, Penrith and Newcastle.
The pair will be part of a three-horse team which trainer Sonya Smith and Anthony Butt will take north next Tuesday for features at the Queensland winter carnival, starting with the A$21,000 Redcliffe Derby and A$31,000 Redcliffe Cup on June 22.
“I’m looking forward to Queensland,’’ says Butt. “It won’t be easy in the big races but Make Way has earned a shot and if he can get a draw and follow the speed, who knows what he can do.
“He’s absolutely flying and I couldn’t be happier with him. He came over (from New Zealand) in great order and has continued to thrive, getting better and better with racing.
“He’s amazing. His heart rate is brilliant after his workouts, he’s really in the zone at the moment.’’
Butt knows Make Way faces an uphill battle on Thursday night, drawn the outside of the second row against some nice types like Leonidas.
“But it’s more about getting a run into him. And the same goes with Goldie (Lets Strike The Gold) at Bathurst.
Lets Strike The Gold fights on bravely for a close fourth after doing a power of work at Newcastle.“It’s a tough race for him but it’s hard to find the right races for him away from Menangle.
“At least there are only seven in it. He’ll go back and we’ll see if he can run into a place.’’
Butt says it’s not only Thunder Dance, winner of his last three on end, and a 1:51.5 trialist at Menangle, who will test Goldie on Wednesday night.
“There are two or three good ones but that’s quite good in a way as it means one horse won’t dominate the race.’’
Butt says he was thrilled with the way Goldie fought on for fourth at Newcastle in just his second run back after doing a lot of early work then sitting parked for the last lap.
“There are a number of good races coming up for Goldie in Brisbane, below the top level, and with each run he is closer to finding his right mark.”
Smith and Butt will begin their float trip north on Tuesday, stopping halfway at a motel, complete with horse stalls, to break up the 11-hour journey.
The Sydney reinforcements will bring to six the number of pacers Lincoln Farms will have competing at the winter carnival, along with Northview Hustler, Trojan Banner, Vasari and Lincoln’s Girl.
Lets Strike The Gold races at 8.40pm NZ time at Bathurst on Wednesday.
Make Way races at 8.52pm NZ time at Penrith on Thursday.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.40pm
“She’s going as good as she can. She’s got a bit of speed but isn’t that strong. But she should get a nice trip here and be right in the frame. She’ll win one soon.”
Race 1: Jessie Lincoln
5.40pm
“She’s a big filly who has taken time to mature but she has plenty of ability. She’s a good pacer and I expect her to improve on her resuming run and go well.”
Race 1: Lincoln Dealer
5.40pm
“He’s a bit of a handful, too keen for his own good sometimes, so I’ll be happy to see him just get round and do most things right. He’s no superstar but he’s coming to it slowly but surely. We’re throwing him in the deep end here and he has a terrible draw but we have to start somewhere.”
Race 4: Lincoln Maree
7.04pm
“She’s as tough as old boots and tries like hell and you can’t ask for much more than that. She just lacks a bit of speed but has a good attitude. She usually finds one or two better than her but will make them work for it anyway.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.56pm
“He’ll be improved for the last run, has trialled and is working well, and has a better draw (the ace) this time. You just have to be a bit wary because he’s let us down a couple of times.”
Race 3: Angelic Copy
5.56pm
“She had a tie-up issue but seems much better now. It’s her first run for a while so she’ll definitely need the run. I’m just hoping she gets around all right and pulls up OK.”
Race 3: Colonel Lincoln
5.56pm
“He’s a very capable horse, if injury prone, and he’s been back in work for three or four months. You never say never but, realistically, he’s just starting off so you can’t expect him to be at his peak.”
Race 5: Sammy Lincoln
6.55pm
“I know I said it two starts back but if there’s such a thing as a certainty, he’s it. Even from seven on the gate, everything says he’s the one to beat. If he hadn’t gone a bit goofy up the home straight last time in the Sires’ Stakes Semi at Cambridge, he’d have easily run third. This is a huge drop in class.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.58pm
“I expect he’ll be a bit sharper this time. He’s looking well and feeling good but I still think another run under his belt will be beneficial for him. He’s not one to leap out of the ground but he is capable of taking the race.”
