Turning for home last week and Captain Nemo is second and battling bravely, after a very fast mile.
Mark looking for top three finish from brave Captain Nemo at Albion Park on Tuesday
By Barry Lichter • 12 December 2022
Captain Nemo needs only a little luck to finish in the top three at Albion Park tomorrow afternoon, says trainer Mark Dux.
While Captain Nemo couldn’t live up to his favouritism tag last week, Dux rated the horse’s effort to finish fourth as first rate.
“I thought his run was terrific considering he sat parked and they went a 1:52.2 mile rate, which is very good time for that grade,” Dux said.
Captain Nemo left the gate fast and, while he secured the early one-one sit, driver Angus Garrard popped out and went round, believing the lead would be there for him.
It wasn’t, and the horse had to sit parked but he never gave in, was still running second early in the run home, and fought on bravely to be 14.6 lengths from the winner Kanye Crusader.
“I don’t think he has to sit outside the leader, he races as good from behind. He just needs a solid tempo.
“There’s a little bit of gate speed there so he’ll come out steady and let the race unfold.
“The outside two - Betterthandiamonds and Bitcoin - are dropping back a long way in class and look the ones to beat.
“But I’m really happy with our horse, he’s done terrific since the race and, with a reasonable trip I wouldn’t be surprised to see him finish in the top three.”
Captain Nemo races at 4.52pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.40pm
“She’s going as good as she can. She’s got a bit of speed but isn’t that strong. But she should get a nice trip here and be right in the frame. She’ll win one soon.”
Race 1: Jessie Lincoln
5.40pm
“She’s a big filly who has taken time to mature but she has plenty of ability. She’s a good pacer and I expect her to improve on her resuming run and go well.”
Race 1: Lincoln Dealer
5.40pm
“He’s a bit of a handful, too keen for his own good sometimes, so I’ll be happy to see him just get round and do most things right. He’s no superstar but he’s coming to it slowly but surely. We’re throwing him in the deep end here and he has a terrible draw but we have to start somewhere.”
Race 4: Lincoln Maree
7.04pm
“She’s as tough as old boots and tries like hell and you can’t ask for much more than that. She just lacks a bit of speed but has a good attitude. She usually finds one or two better than her but will make them work for it anyway.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.56pm
“He’ll be improved for the last run, has trialled and is working well, and has a better draw (the ace) this time. You just have to be a bit wary because he’s let us down a couple of times.”
Race 3: Angelic Copy
5.56pm
“She had a tie-up issue but seems much better now. It’s her first run for a while so she’ll definitely need the run. I’m just hoping she gets around all right and pulls up OK.”
Race 3: Colonel Lincoln
5.56pm
“He’s a very capable horse, if injury prone, and he’s been back in work for three or four months. You never say never but, realistically, he’s just starting off so you can’t expect him to be at his peak.”
Race 5: Sammy Lincoln
6.55pm
“I know I said it two starts back but if there’s such a thing as a certainty, he’s it. Even from seven on the gate, everything says he’s the one to beat. If he hadn’t gone a bit goofy up the home straight last time in the Sires’ Stakes Semi at Cambridge, he’d have easily run third. This is a huge drop in class.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.58pm
“I expect he’ll be a bit sharper this time. He’s looking well and feeling good but I still think another run under his belt will be beneficial for him. He’s not one to leap out of the ground but he is capable of taking the race.”
