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.
More news in Harness
Emotional night at the Park as Sammy Lincoln steps up for John and his sister Maree
Rivergirl Bella finally delivers - and Phil kicks himself for not being there or having a punt
This is it, Sammy, the draw’s a bit of a pain but you can eat these non-winners for breakfast
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
Update: Scratched
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
