Angus Garrard, pictured after scoring his 500th winner behind Captain Nemo, is back on for Saturday night. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Nemo playing second fiddle to Targaryen again but he’s close to taking another trick
By Barry Lichter • 29 December 2022
Trainer Mark Dux is expecting another competitive run from Captain Nemo at Albion Park on Saturday night after he surprised with a super fourth last week.
With a nightmare outside front row draw in a strong band 5 field, Dux couldn’t see how Nemo could feature from back in the field.
But after his daughter Madi latched on to the three wide train, Nemo kept finding up the straight and did very well to finish fourth as a $34 outsider.
The real merit of his run was reflected in his sectional times. He ran the fastest middle half of 56.99 and his last half of 55.97 was the second fastest in the race - better than winner Targaryen - despite covering 29 metres further than the hot favourite.
On Saturday night, while two on the second row, he is drawn to get a nice run through behind Targaryen.
“I could see Karloo Bradley rolling across from three so there could be a little pressure, but I doubt it will last for long.
“We might land outside the leader or we could be one-one or one-two but either way we shouldn’t be too far off them.
“The favourite is the one to beat again from the alley. He’s back in class with a claim so he’s well in the race.
“But Nemo is racing really well and if you swapped draws and we drew two and Targaryen was on the back row we could probably win.”
Dux says Nemo has done terrifically well since the run and he’s sure he will be more than competitive again.
“He’ll be thereabouts. We just need a bit of luck in the run and have to hope the favourite has to do extra work. If they go only steady and brush home quickly the last half or quarter, it will be tough but Nemo is close to winning one in that grade with the right run.”
Captain Nemo races at 11.36pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
