Argyle’s racing in super style but it looks like another mission impossible on Saturday night

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.”