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
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Johnny Lincoln
5.39pm
“He didn’t do anything at Auckland last start but seems to go better left-handed and placed at Cambridge in his only start there.”
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.39pm
“Her driver (Harrison Orange) said she would have won last start had that horse (Mr Miki) not stopped in her face. The winner was gone by the time she saw daylight. She will just need some luck from the second row draw.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.39pm
“He should have won last start at Auckland but we’ve taken the blinds off on Friday night and, in a weaker line-up, going left-handed, we’ll see how he goes.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.37pm
“I think the race will be won or lost soon after the start. It’s out of our control, we just have to hope she gets a run through and then I’m sure she’ll be hard to beat.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.40pm
“She’s got a little bit of lick but only has a short sprint, so timing is everything.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.40pm
“Being put in the race from the start last time obviously took a bit of the sting out of him. But at least there’s no chance that will happen this time from the second row. In his previous races he’d ducked for cover and got sucked along but he needs a decent tempo, he’s no sit-sprinter.”
