Captain Nemo won four races for trainer-driver Mark Dux in his first campaign in Brisbane. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Dux: Captain Nemo primed again and he can go through the grades at Albion Park
By Barry Lichter • 23 February 2022
Trainer-driver Mark Dux is tipping Captain Nemo is in for a good campaign and rates a winning chance at Albion Park on Friday despite not having raced for more than three months.
Captain Nemo, who notched four wins and four placings in 12 starts for Dux late last year, had his January resumption delayed by a virus but Dux says he’s really happy with the horse now and, with an ounce of luck, he can win his 1660 metre opener.
“I don’t really want to give him a gut buster first-up so I’ll just play it by ear off the gate,” says Dux who would prefer to drive the horse a bit quieter in his campaign opener and have him hitting the line.
“I’m not looking to send him off the gate but while I don’t want to be looking for the death I won’t be unhappy if I end up landing there.”
Dux says if he settles outside the pole runner, 13-race winner Juddy Douglas, he knows what to expect.
“He’ll probably lead and his driver (Matt Elkins) likes to run along.
“If he drives the horse like he normally does, he’ll cut him loose at the 800 and throw in a 26 quarter.
“But he’ll be tippy-toeing up the straight and if we can be close enough, we can run him down.”
Dux says Captain Nemo is good enough to go through his grades this campaign.
“There are a few wins in store for him and I think he can make open class. He’s shown he’s got the ability. If you look at the times he’s run and what the fast class run, he’s good enough.”
Captain Nemo has made a habit of toughing it out in the death seat but Dux says the four-year-old has a bit of high speed in his armoury as well.
He plans to aim the horse at a A$13,930 penalty free race on March 12, a Team Teal female driver championship heat.
Dux plans to trial stablemate Tommy Lincoln on Friday after his race this week didn’t go ahead.
Tommy also succumbed to a virus in January but is ready to go again.
“Hopefully the trials will be held. There’s been heaps of rain overnight and they’re expecting a lot more tomorrow. “
Captain Nemo races at 3.42pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.
More news in Harness
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Stable ‘oldie’ Leo Lincoln roars home for ninth win, thanks to peach of a drive by Zac
Maggie’s outgrown her pacifier and is ready to run a Homer on debut at Auckland on Friday
Ray: Copy Ten Four will go better left-handed at Cambridge on Thursday night. Roger that.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 3: Rivergirl Bella
7.22pm
“She’s knocking on the door and should get one soon. She moves out a little on the gate but has good early speed.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
8.20pm
“He made the most of a perfect pegs run last week but it will be harder for him this time, drawn the outside. But it’s only a small field and he’s racing well so he should go well again.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Downs
6.50pm
“She should get out OK as she has a bit of speed but she hasn’t carried it very far in the past. I think she’s got stronger now but she hasn’t raced for nearly nine months so she’ll more than likely need the run.”
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.50pm
“I don’t know what happened last time. She shouldn’t break like that again and, all going well, she’s the one to beat. You have to go on her previous run which was very good.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Maggie
7.21pm
“She put in a few steps on debut and Andre couldn’t let her go up the straight so we’ve tweaked her gear up a bit. She’ll go better this time.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.49pm
“He’s racing honestly and driving well but it’s hard to see him sprinting past this lot.”
