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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Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
