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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Nathan’s comments
Thurday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
6.03pm
“He’s just come back from a two-week break and seems a lot better after the freshen-up. He’s training really well but this will be like a trial for him. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race so, from five, he won’t be put into the early rush. We’re still aiming him at the Harness 5000 at Ashburton in December.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
4.44pm
“He was held up last week but still got home really well, hard on their backs and, with the right trip, he’ll be dangerous. But the race looks suited to a horse like Hooray Henry who, in a small field, can sit back and outsprint them.
Race 9: Tyson
8.54pm
“We were looking to sit in with him last week but it didn’t work out. He still ran on pretty well as he always does. He just needs a bit of luck.”
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
8.54pm
“Maurice was happy with her run last week and said she paced strongly through the line. From seven on the gate this week she’ll have to go back but I think she’s better coming from off the pace. She’s a good chance if she can get sucked into it at the right time.”
