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.
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Ray’s comments
Wednesday at Auckland
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
5.10pm
“I can’t believe he’s not picked in four (on the HRNZ website). He actually headed Cyclone Rebel last start but switched off. We’ve added sliding blinds which seem to have helped in training and he’s got to be a good each-way chance. He just needs a bit of luck from six on the gate.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
5.10pm
“He’ll need some luck from the outside but hopefully he can still get a cheque. He doesn’t have as much speed as Prince Lincoln.”
Race 7: Spiritual Bliss
6pm
“I think she’ll be able to handle the rise in class. She’s a pretty good mare who keeps finding when the pressure goes on. It won’t be easy but she has a good draw and has already run a mile in 1:55.3.”
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
6pm
“It’s hard to know how she compares with Spiritual Bliss but I think they’re both chances. Debbie Lincoln is still the fastest three-year-old to win over 1700 metres around Alexandra Park and she was excellent again when just pipped by Tyson last time.”
Race 12: Tyson
8.38pm
“The rise in class won’t stop him. If they go a bit harder, he can still run a 56 half off a solid pace. He’s improving all the time, more than I thought he would. He could easily win again.”
Race 12: Leo Lincoln
8.38pm
“We threw him in the deep end first-up when he really needed another trial. That race will bring him on a bit but I think he’ll need another before we see him at his best.”
