Argyle is racing a lot better than his form line would suggest. PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.
Argyle’s racing in super style but it looks like another mission impossible on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 11 May 2023
Argyle is crying out to win a race but, again, he faces a near impossible task at Albion Park on Saturday night, pitted against one of the state’s best pacers from a difficult draw.
Trainer Mark Dux says he can’t fault how Argyle is racing and last week even driver Angus Garrard described his run - for seventh - as super.
Taken back from a wide draw, Argyle paced the 1660 metres in a mile rate of 1:53.33, ripping home in 54.91 in restricted quarters.
“The numbers don’t look like it but he’s going terrific. You look at the 6th and 7th and think he’s only so-so but they’ve been pretty decent runs.
“He really hit the line well last week but it’s a very strong race on Saturday, with Leap To Fame and a few others, and he’s got another bad draw.
“He can’t go forward - there’s speed inside us and speed outside us - so we’ll have to drive him cold again.”
Dux says if Argyle burns at the start and can’t cross the ones inside him, he risks being stuck out, and could then be on the receiving end of a 55 final half when Leap To Fame launches.
While the New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland Derby winner hasn’t raced since taking the Breeders Challenge at Menangle last October in 1:49, Leap To Fame looked good in winning a recent trial.
“He’s a Group horse, you wouldn’t get any tougher in this grade. I was hoping the race would be split into two divisions to give us a chance.
“It’s so frustrating, I can’t find races for him because of his rating. It’s hard to slot him in - the weaker races just aren’t there or they don’t stand up.
“And even against these super strong horses he’s getting tough alleys. It does your head in. There’s no reason why he couldn’t have run a place had he drawn better.
“But he’ll keep. We’ll drive him cold, take short cuts and hope for some pressure, and not just in the last half.”
Dux reports stablemates Tommy Lincoln and Captain Nemo are still on the way back from recent breaks.
“Tommy’s back jogging, but he’s still four to five weeks away. He’s done well and put on a lot of weight.
“We’re just walking Nemo who still has a little bit of swelling. Older horses take a bit of time to get over gelding.”
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
