
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.
More news in Harness
After 40 years in the sulky, Fergie’s just loving his renaissance in the lincoln green silks
Big-spending Mike Tanev snares The Rascal and he’s off to Canada next week
Dreams Of Eric goes from black and blue to blue and white, now for Harness 5000
Watch this workout and you’ll see why Ray’s rapt to see Debbie back at Auckland on Friday
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Dreams Of Eric
5.19pm
“I think he’s a good each-way chance again. I don’t think it’s any harder than the field he beat last week. He’s trained on pretty well. I can’t fault him in any way. He’s got the gate speed to lead but I’ll leave it up to the driver.”

Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Tyson
5.39pm
“Ferg said he was full of running last week but he couldn’t get a run. He’s pretty versatile and should go close again.”
Race 3: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.40pm
“He was starved for racing room up the home straight and finished hard on the winner’s back. You’d have to rate him a decent winning chance.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.40pm
“We had to stop on her after problems with tie-up and a virus but she seems pretty good now. There’s obviously room for improvement but I’m picking she’ll go pretty well. She’s a very nice filly.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.40pm
“If she can get a run on the favourite’s back, she could get some of it as she’s a very honest filly. She hasn’t really settled down since her last prep - she’ll always be a little hot, it’s her nature - but she’s trialling well enough.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.40pm
“She seems to be getting round the corners well now that she’s a bit stronger and she trialled super behind Miki Doo.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
8.06pm
“I have a lot of time for Kev. He’s a very nice horse, which you can see by the form line. I’m sure he’ll be thereabouts again, even against Mantra Blue and Lady Of The Light.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.05pm
“He’ll be scratched. He’s been sold to Canada.”