Mark calls for conservative tactics this time with bulky Captain Nemo at Albion Park

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.