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Sitting outside the leader proved too tough for Argyle last week but he still paced a mile rate of 1:53.17.

At last, good front row draw gives Argyle his chance in Brisbane on Saturday night

Argyle looks a solid top four chance after finally drawing to get a sweet run on the pace at Albion Park on Saturday night.

While the third race has at least five winning chances, trainer Mark Dux says, for the first time since Argyle’s comeback from injury, Lincoln Farms’ six-year-old is well placed to feature.

With claiming concession driver Layne Dwyer in the cart, Argyle sneaks into the band 5 race and his luck was in, landing two in the random draw.

From there, Dux believes he has an excellent chance of leading.

“The one horse (Congo Line) hasn’t shown a heap of speed off the gate. If they revved him up, the 2138 metre start point (at the top of the home straight) would be where he could hold up, but I think we’ll cross him.

“If we can, good, if not, it’s not the end of the world. A couple out wide, like Collect A Dime, will keep pressing forward so I’m sure cover would come. Either way, he won’t have to work to get there, which makes a huge difference, and should get a good trip.”

Dux says he’s been happy with both of Argyle’s last two runs, when he carried a flat tyre and, last week when he sat parked outside the leader.

“Even though a couple got past him, I thought he was pretty solid. He did all the work and the winner, Hiranya, is a pretty decent horse.”

Argyle, himself, was clocked to run sectionals of 27.5, 29.78, 27.77 and 28.45, his mile rate for the 1660 metres a slick 1:53.17.

“He keeps coming and will be suited by the extra distance this week.

“I rate him a top three or four chance for sure, barring bad luck.”

Argyle races at 9.51pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.Argyle races at 9.51pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Nathan Delany

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 Green

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.”

Dan Costello Race Photography