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.
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“He’s just come back from a two-week break and seems a lot better after the freshen-up. He’s training really well but this will be like a trial for him. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race so, from five, he won’t be put into the early rush. We’re still aiming him at the Harness 5000 at Ashburton in December.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
4.44pm
“He was held up last week but still got home really well, hard on their backs and, with the right trip, he’ll be dangerous. But the race looks suited to a horse like Hooray Henry who, in a small field, can sit back and outsprint them.
Race 9: Tyson
8.54pm
“We were looking to sit in with him last week but it didn’t work out. He still ran on pretty well as he always does. He just needs a bit of luck.”
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
8.54pm
“Maurice was happy with her run last week and said she paced strongly through the line. From seven on the gate this week she’ll have to go back but I think she’s better coming from off the pace. She’s a good chance if she can get sucked into it at the right time.”
