Make Way (Andre Poutama) leads Parker early in his heat at Pukekohe today with Trojan Banner heading the rest of the pack.
Make Way shows early lick at Pukekohe workouts
By Barry Lichter • 20 October 2018
Make Way showed another string to his bow for Friday night’s Sires’ Stakes heat when he scored a convincing win at the Pukekohe workouts today.
Trainer Ray Green was delighted to see Make Way sprint off the arm in his heat, leading for the first part of the 2050 metres before handing up to stablemate Trojan Banner.
And it was that early part of the workout, more than his powerful finish to reel in Trojan Banner by a head, which earned the big tick from Green.
“He hasn’t shown any gate speed before so it’s nice to know he has some.’’
Both Make Way and Trojan Banner tackle the last Sires’ Stakes heat in the north at Auckland on Friday night and showed they were perfectly primed.
Timed over the trip in 2:36.5, the pair clocked a mile rate of 2:02.9 and closed in 58.8 and 28, with half a length to Ideal Star and a head to Best Western.
Recco Lover trails the Barry Purdon pair On The Cards and Mach Shard at Pukekohe today.Recco Lover strong
Recco Lover, placed in each of his four starts this campaign, showed he was hard fit for Friday night when third behind the much higher rated Barry Purdon-trained pair On The Cards and Mach Shard.
Recco Lover led out then trailed before unwinding strongly to finish on the back of On The Cards and Mach Shard, with slick sectionals of 57.1 and 26.5.
They cut out the 2500 metre stand in 3:15.2, a mile rate of 2:05.7.
Mathew James weak
Mathew James dropped to the rear of his 2050 metre heat from widest on the gate and never improved, outpaced when the sprint went on and beat only one home.
Two-year-old pair smart
Sweet Lou colts Perfect Stride and Double Or Nothing, the best two-year-olds in Lincoln Farms’ barn, handled their first test behind the mobile in great style.
Double Or Nothing (David Butcher) led Perfect Stride (Zachary Butcher) and Man Of Action (Andre Poutama) in the running, all three behaving well amid the extra buzz of workout day.
When Man Of Action broke on the final bend after leaning on his pole the leading pair cleared out, clocking 59.2 and a sharp 27.5, Perfect Stride credited with a half head margin at the post.
“That’s the fastest they’ve gone,’’ said Green of the 2:07.9 mile.
All three colts are bred to be good, Perfect Stride a half brother to leading New Zealand Cup fancy Chicago Bull, Double Or Nothing a half brother to Tim Butt’s Let It Ride, winner of his last six starts including the Group I Blacks A Fake, and Man Of Action a half brother to cup contender Forgotten Highway.
Double Or Nothing leads Perfect Stride and Man Of Action in the two-year-old learners’ heat today.
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.”
