Captain Nemo has won five races in Brisbane, one at Redcliffe. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Don’t let the form line fool you, the Captain should be right in the fight on Wednesday
By Barry Lichter • 19 April 2022
Captain Nemo’s form might look like it’s tailed off but don’t let that fool you when he lines up at Redcliffe on Wednesday night.
The way Captain Nemo has been training, trainer Mark Dux says he’ll be disappointed if the horse doesn’t finish in the money in the fourth race.
Lincoln Farms’ tough campaigner lines up in a heat of an up-to-rating 90 series, where qualifiers from five races in April compete for a A$20,770 stake over 1660 metres at Albion Park on Saturday week.
If he misses the cut, Nemo will be eligible for a A$10,820 consolation the same night.
“It won’t be any pushover for him on Wednesday - it’s not his favourite track and it’s a reasonable field - but I’m really happy with him, he’s done terrific since his last run.”
That race, 11 days ago, when he finished last, was a complete forgive, says Dux.
Sent forward from four on the gate, Captain Nemo was trapped three wide round the first corner on a brutal 26.9 first quarter.
And when Dux tried to push Nemo up outside the leader, the driver of the parked horse refused to relent.
“I thought the guy would be happy to take cover but he obviously thought I wasn’t a good horse to follow. I don’t know where he got that idea from given how tough Nemo races all the time.”
Eased back to the rear, Nemo still couldn’t get in and when Dux tried to improve down the back straight, there was nobody home. Beaten before the home turn, Nemo finished 36 metres from the winner.
“Nothing went right for him but I’m expecting him to run really well this time.”
With Wednesday’s race drawn on earnings in their last four starts, Nemo gets an OK alley of two on the second row, as a consquence of finishing out of the money in his last three.
“I’m happy with that draw,” says Dux. “I’ll follow out the two horse (Artful Maid) and should get a good run through.
“Hemsworth is going well but has drawn wide which isn’t ideal over 1780 metres at Redcliffe.”
Captain Nemo races at 9.06pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Wednesday.
More news in Harness
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
$101 winner Lincoln Wave has improved and is worth following in Friday’s derby lead-up
OK Sammy, lightning bolts aside, Ray’s relying on you to do things right this time
Lincoln Dealer has the genes but not the barrier draw for Cambridge debut
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Colonel Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s come through his two runs well and we can be bolder with him from a front row draw.”
Race 2: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s in good shape and you can’t fault what he’s doing. I don’t think the (seven) draw should make a lot of difference - he’s been parked in his last two and still got money. You wouldn’t take a trifecta without putting him in.”
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s racing really well and just needs a bit of luck from the second row. He’s trained on well and should go well again. ”
Race 4: Rivergirl Bella
6.27pm
“She only has a little sprint but, if she doesn’t have to do too much, she can get home well.”
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.27pm
“She’ll win a race or two, and will get one soon as she’s honest, but she’s still very green. And to be fair to her, she hasn’t had a decent enough run where you can really judge her yet.”
Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.38pm
“Based on the draws, Sammy looks a better chance than Lincoln Wave. Not many win from out there, especially in a Group I race. But I suppose he had a similar draw at Cambridge (six) and got lucky (squeezing into the trail when Nymbal broke) so you never know what can happen. It won’t be easy for him but it would be nice to see him get a good trip as I think he’ll handle the 2700 metres as well as the others.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.38pm
“If he can hold up, that would be marvellous as if anything can give Jumal a fright, it’s him. I know he’s still a maiden but he’s better than most of them ability-wise. He’s a classy big bugger who is very fast and if he ends up on Jumal’s back he’d be dangerous. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the fray as he has such a lot of ability.”
Rac e 10: Prince Lincoln
9.37pm
“If the real Prince Lincoln turned up he’d be in the money, but you never know with him.”
