Argyle’s foot looking better but Mark will be happy to see him just hit the line on Friday
By Barry Lichter • 21 September 2023
Don’t expect any fireworks from Argyle when he resumes from a long spell at Albion Park in Brisbane on Friday evening, says trainer Mark Dux.
Lincoln Farms’ four-year-old hasn’t raced for three and a half months after an abscess destroyed much of the wall of his foot.
And, while he performed to the satisfaction of Dux in a trial last Friday, Argyle looked well short of race fitness.
“He trialled well enough but got a bit tired in the last 100 metres, which was only to be expected,” Dux said.
Argyle … last raced on June 6.The winner of the heat, former Kiwi Sirius, now called So Sirius and a newcomer to Queensland, motored the last 800 metres of the 1660 heat in 55.5 and 400 in 26.5, leaving Argyle out of breath 15 metres away in third.
“He’s done well since the trial but it’s not an easy race that he’s in and, from his second row draw, we’ll drive him cold, and let him hit the line.”
With regular pilot Angus Garrard committed to his father Daren’s horse, Back To Betoota, Dux has engaged Grant Dixon for Argyle.
“He’ll race well but he’ll be out the back and, because they go so fast here now, unless you get a decent trip you can’t catch them.
“If they’re running 55 on the fence up front you can’t catch them from back in the field. That’s why you see so many lead, trail, three fence finishes these days.”
Dux said while Argyle’s foot has grown down a lot during his break, it still looked “a bit average.”
Lincoln Farms’ stablemate Captain Nemo didn’t get a start on Friday so will be nominated for Tuesday’s meeting.
Argyle races at 8.18pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday evening.
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.”
