Make Way runs them into the dust, smashing Goulburn track record for three-year-olds
By Barry Lichter • 29 April 2019
Make Way made a real statement at Goulburn today, leading almost the entire way to score in track record time for a three-year-old.
And, incredibly, the Australian rating system sees the horse eligible for the same grade at his next start!
Lincoln Farms’ smart colt did exactly what trainer-driver Anthony Butt predicted today, gunning out to wrest the lead after a couple of hundred metres and running his rivals ragged in 2:42.3, a mile rate of 1:56.6, taking a whopping 2.2 seconds off the three-year-old mark for 2240 metres.
When Butt put his foot down before the home turn only I’m Bruce Almighty could stay with him, closing the gap to 1.2 metres close to home.
Anthony Butt … Every time Make Way lines up he’s competitive.“He had to burn at both ends and we were the only one that did work early to be still there at the finish,’’ says Butt. “The others were dropping out down the back.
“I think they might have hand timed it and mucked the sectionals up but his overall time was electric.’’
The fierce tempo set by Make Way was reflected by the fact the third horse home, Hellofalass, was 18.5 metres behind the runner-up.
The win took Make Way’s Australian record to two wins, three seconds, one third and one fourth from eight starts, a model of consistency which Butt admires.
The A$13,750 in prizemoney he has earned takes his overall season tally to more than $50,000.
“There’s nothing major on the horizon for a while. We’ll just poke around and look for the same sort of race for him and keep the money coming in.’’
Make Way kept his army of supporters happy, paying $1.40 on the New Zealand tote and $1.30 in Australia (not $133 as recorded!).
More news in Harness
Unlucky Leo worth a dollar in the cup and La Moose can go close again on Thursday night
Onyx Shard can keep the ball rolling for Ray and Nathan at Manawatu on Tuesday
Ray and Debbie both in the money at the Park with speedy ‘Frisky’ and precocious ‘Angela’
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.”
