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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Thoughts for Lincoln Farms’ groupie Margaret Rabbitt after Johnny Lincoln braves it out
Lincoln Wave super and Sammy Lincoln super unlucky - two three-year-olds worth following
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Sammy Lincoln
6.18pm
“He was checked and locked wheels into the first turn last week and he had a decent puncture wound in his leg from where they ran into him so you certainly couldn’t condemn him for galloping. He’s a really nice horse, who is going to win races quickly. He hasn’t missed any work, and should be right in it.”
Race 3: Lincoln Wave
6.43pm
“He’s drawn wide again (six) but he’s good enough to get the job done. It’s a bit more of a test for him but there are no cup horses in there and he’s a pretty nice horse. We’ve waited for both him and Sammy Lincoln because of their setbacks at two but it’s been worth it.”
Race 4: Johnny Lincoln
7.11pm
“He was very tough in winning after sitting parked last week. He’s awkwardly drawn again but he tries hard and, with a bit of luck and a good trip, he can get some of it.”
Race 6: Tyson
8.08pm
“Completely forget his run last week when he had no luck in the running. He’s a definite chance.”
Race 6: Spiritual Bliss
8.08pm
“She took no harm from the incident last Friday and has trained on well. I think she’ll go well. If you analyse her run, they went down the back in 27.8 and she did well to finish on for fourth after sitting parked.”
