Captain Nemo meets weaker opposition but lands the outside alley at Albion Park on Friday. PHOTO: Royden Williams.
Mark calls for conservative tactics this time with bulky Captain Nemo at Albion Park
By Barry Lichter • 14 September 2023
Trainer Mark Dux is hoping a change of driving tactics will get Lincoln Farms’ Captain Nemo into the money at Albion Park on Friday evening.
Driven tough last time, making a sweeping run three wide to the death at the bell, Nemo punctured before the home turn, finishing 27 metres away in ninth.
It’s a formula Nemo’s drivers have used to good effect plenty of times in the past but, as Dux points out, now that the horse has advanced up the grades he’s having to go a lot faster.
“Previously he sat there on a 57 half no problem but now they’re running mile rates of 1:55 and faster for 2138 metres and the fractionals are so quick at the end of the race.”
On top of the early work, Nemo simply couldn’t cope with last week’s 55.9 last half.
“Now that he’s up in grade and they run so fast you can’t just think you’re better than them all the time and over-drive him.
“Some days when you’re fitter, yes. But it was only his second run back the other day. Angus (Garrard) said he travelled well but just got tired.”
Having nominated so many times, only to have the races not stand up, hadn’t helped Nemo either, Dux said.
“He’s way heavier than last time in - he’s bulked up a lot (despite being gelded).”
Dux said the plan this week would be to drive Nemo much more conservatively, a tactic which concession claiming driver Paige Bevan used successfully last time she drove the horse in April when second.
Using Bevan’s three point claim meant Nemo could squeeze into Friday’s up-to-rating 70 race, where he is the highest rated.
“We’ll go back, drive him quietly, try to get a tag into it, and hopefully see him finish off well.
“If they walk and sprint it will make it hard but those are the risks you have to take sometimes, you just bite the bullet and hope things pan out for you.
“The horse seems really good,” Dux said.
“His first-up run (when third) was super and everything (bar the outside draw) suits him on Friday.”
Captain Nemo races at 7.57pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln LInda
5.14pm
“The fillies she raced against in the Sires’ Stakes Semi were the best around so this is a massive drop in class for her. I imagine Fergie will work his way forward, as she’s best in front, and then she’d become the one to beat.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
5.16pm
“The draw helps as he likes being in front. The raw ability is there but from time to time he’s reluctant to show it. But that last start was a vast improvement.”
Race 1: Colonel Lincoln
5.16pm
“He was definitely in need of the run first-up and will benefit from another. He’s been off the scene for a long time.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.08pm
“He did well second-up, peeling off a 55.1 half. He’s been a slow maturer but I think he’s getting stronger as he gets older - he certainly feels much stronger in his work.”
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.08pm
“The Cambridge race has brought him on and I’m sure he’ll go well again, but he won’t be butchered a week out from the Derby. I don’t want to get carried away but he’s a pretty good horse, the best of our three in the race. He’s a year younger than Suger Ray but has a bit more ability. It’s hard to know where he’ll take us but he has the potential to be a classic colt.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.08pm
“He’s in the zone, he’s feeling really great, and he won’t go badly. But he’ll need luck from the draw.”
Race 9: Spiritual Bliss
9.04pm
“She’s racing better horses now and has done well to cop getting parked in some hard-run races. Leading is her go and she’ll get her chance from the inside draw.”
Race 10: Rivergirl Bella
9.36pm
“She has got a bit of speed but she can’t carry it very far. But if she gets the right trip, and gets out at the right time, not too soon, she’s always a chance.”
Race 10: Jessie Lincoln
9.36pm
“Harry blamed himself for the horse breaking at the start at Cambridge - he said he asked her to go a bit too quickly off the gate. She shouldn’t do it again. She’ll hold her own here, I’m sure.”
Race 10: Marylynes Boy
9.36pm
“He’s been training well but he’s only a little colt having his first start and from the second row I think Nathan will be happy to just see him get around safely.”
