Redcliffe’s tight turns make it hard for horses with second row barrier draws.
100 up for Nemo but there’ll be no cake and candles at Redcliffe on Wednesday night
By Barry Lichter • 1 July 2024
Captain Nemo will be having his 100th race start at Redcliffe on Wednesday night but trainer Mark Dux isn’t expecting anything worth celebrating.
Dux knows Nemo, back from illness, will need plenty of favours to reach the money, racing from a horror draw on the quirky triangular track.
“Redcliffe isn’t his favourite track and this race will be like a pipe-opener for him.
“He got sick after his last run and all his legs blew up so we had to give him a week out. It was some kind of virus but, luckily, only two or three of mine got it.”
Since then Dux has been happy with Nemo’s work but he’s been unable to get a start for the horse, with the annual influx to Brisbane for the Constellations carnival.
“I had him in at Albion Park tomorrow but we got balloted out and, while this track isn’t the best for him, we need a starting point.
“I’m going into the race happy with him - he doesn’t need a trial - but from three on the second row, we’ll drive him cold early and come with one run.”
Dux says the days of tripping to Redcliffe for an easy win are over, with better horses racing on the tight 833 metre triangle, and running much faster times.
“But if things falls his way, he’s not out of it. It’s a nice handy field, but not a great field, and I’m sure he’ll finish off well.”
Captain Nemo has won one of his five starts at Redcliffe, but that was back in March, 2022 when he started a $1.30 favourite from the pole against much easier opposition.
He clocks up 100 on Wednesday with a tidy career record of 13 wins, 21 placings and A$136,226 in prizemoney.
Captain Nemo races at 7.17pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Wednesday night.
More news in Harness
Maurice gets “motor cleaned up” and hands reins of Wave to 3000 club mate Tony Herlihy
The Night Fox the latest in Nate’s love affair with Vincent - and he’s working super
Dave Phillips back in the winner’s circle with Spiritual Bliss, lauding Lincoln Farms
Everything goes to script for new Gold Card member David Turner as Lincoln Wave swells
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Wednesday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln Maree
5.11pm
“She’s finding her feet and was a bit unlucky at Taupo. She put in a few rough ones out of the gate - she was like that early in her prep and could just jump out of it - but she’s generally doing things right now. She trained well on Saturday and, with the right run, could run top three.”
Race 3: The Night Fox
6pm
“He won really well on the second day at Hawera and if he races anything like he’s training he’ll be hard to beat. He ran a 27.3 quarter during the week and I was just sitting on him. I’ll tell Craig to go forward, set an even tempo and cut him loose at the 600. I think he’s our best of the night.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.35pm
“Hopefully he’s improved since Taupo when Fergie drove him a treat in front. I actually think he’s better coming off something’s back but I’ll leave it up to Fergie. He’s up a bit in grade but has the right draw to be in it all the way.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.32pm
“He had an easy run last week and he can go a lot faster than that. He should be hard to beat. It won’t matter if he doesn’t find the lead from six, he’ll be just as effective coming from off the pace. He’s a pretty classy horse, classier than most of those against him.”
