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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Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
