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.”
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.”
