Argyle, outer, just misses after a brave run sitting parked at Albion Park last week.
Tough draws and tough fields make it hard for Captain Nemo and Argyle on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 28 April 2023
Captain Nemo still has the knife hanging over his head but on Saturday night in a tough field, from a tough draw, trainer Mark Dux won’t be condemning him if he fails.
And neither will Dux slate Argyle if he doesn’t get a go in his race at Albion Park given he has also drawn to need a lot of luck.
Dux says it’s a shame both horses look to have very difficult tasks, given how well they raced at their last starts.
Captain Nemo staved off being gelded when he came from last with a big late run to be pipped just a metre, and Argyle put his previous shocking run behind him with a gutsy second, denied by just a head.
Dux says from three on the second row this week, Angus Garrard will drive Captain Nemo cold again.
“They did go hard early last time, which suited him, but we’ll drive him quietly again and let him run home, that’s all we can do.
“I know you can’t win from the back but we can’t launch all the time, we’ve got to pick our race.
“He’s got nothing going for him on Saturday but I still think he’ll race well as he came through the run well and his work has been good. But he’ll need a lot of luck.”
Dux says the question of whether to geld Captain Nemo is always in the back of his mind but he should escape execution this week.
Argyle, who is handicapped by the inside second row draw in the seventh race, thrilled Dux with his turnaround in form last week.
Three wide to the death early, Argyle fought bravely in the stretch, topped off late only by the horse who had enjoyed a perfect trail.
“He had to do a bit of work but he pulled up super, the best ever. He blew for ages after his previous race (when Dux believes he cut off his wind) but it was like chalk and cheese last week. Within 20 minutes you wouldn’t have known he’d raced.
“It’s a tougher field this week but I’m not worried about dropping back to the shorter trip (1660m). We’ll just have to drive him for luck, follow through, play it by ear, and hope the splits come when we need them.
“You can’t drag all the way back and try to get to the outside. I’ve done that before and afterwards thought ‘that was a bad thing to do’.
“You never know, we might get off the fence and be able to work into the race.”
Dux reports Tommy Lincoln is having a 10-day freshener after his scheduled race this week again didn’t go ahead.
“He’s not tired, he doesn’t feel tired, but he’s been up a long time and a wee break won’t hurt him.
“He’ll be back in work next week.”
Captain Nemo races at 8.10pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Argyle races at 10.10pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
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Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Shunt and tangled tail hamper our Johnny - why he can win Friday’s Lincoln Farms Pace
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“She didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
