Captain Nemo hangs on grimly in a blanket finish at Alexandra Park tonight. PHOTO: Megan Liefting.
Brisbane bound Captain Nemo torpedoes Auckland rivals with gutsy swansong win
By Barry Lichter • 4 June 2021
Part-owner Gareth Paddison was at Alexandra Park tonight to farewell Captain Nemo - but what played out was far from what he was expecting.
After 20 winless starts at Auckand by Captain Nemo who had managed only three placings, the talented golfer, was expecting more of the same.
But Paddison, who was gifted a 10 percent share in the three-year-old by Lincoln Farms’ owner John Street after finishing runner-up in last year’s Wairakei Invitational, had a night to remember when Nemo finally delivered.
Gareth Paddison with Captain Nemo in the Alexandra Park stables.And did he deliver in style - showing incredible toughness after first working hard three wide to the death then forging to the lead at the bell.
And while hotly challenged inside and out in the run home, when the judge came to sort out the five horses in the photo finish, Nemo had a half neck margin over Blitzembye, with a nose to Zarias another nose to Melanion and a head to talented southerner Yorokobi.
The win, at $22, was a fitting finale to the horse’s career in New Zealand - he’s booked to fly to Australia on June 11 with Copy That, American Dealer and Tommy Lincoln to campaign in Brisbane.
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green is sure Captain Nemo will continue to improve in Queensland.
“He’s obviously got stronger, he couldn’t have done what he did tonight a year ago.
“He had every reason to not win. After what he did in the running even if he’d run second or third you’d have been rapt.
“But it’s just the nature of him, he’s a very genuine horse and I’m very pleased he’s won his last race here. He deserved that.”
Green says while Captain Nemo did a power of work, just like the previous week when second to Art Nouveau, driver David Butcher knew that’s how he races best.
Captain Nemo’s last return to the Alexandra Park stables is a triumphant one. Trainer Ray Green greets the horse while driver David Butcher fields questions from Jo Stevens. PHOTO: Megan Liefting.“He loves it out there (parked), he relaxes.
“He’s always been a bit of a favourite of mine but I admit I did go off him a bit. He’s coming to the party now though and I’m sure he’ll go well in Brisbane, it will be a big drop down in class for him there. I wasn’t thinking about the derby until tonight but you’d have to put him in now.”
The A$100,680 Queensland Derby (2680m) on July 24 is also a target for Lincoln Farms’ classy American Dealer but Green says Captain Nemo’s toughness will stand to him around Albion Park where times are super fast.
The win was the Captaintreacherous colt’s fifth after three previous triumphs at Cambridge and one at Palmerston North and he leaves New Zealand with earnings of $54,923 for Paddison, John and Lynne Street, Ian Middleton, the Green Machine Syndicate, Grant Dickey and Peter Dougherty.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Spirit Of God
5.44pm
“She’s definitely a chance as she has enough speed. The raw ability is there and I’m sure she’s as good as any of them ability wise. You can forget she went round at Auckland last week as she locked wheels 600 out.”
Race 1: Jessie Lincoln
5.44pm
“There’s not a lot between her and Spirit Of God. The other filly is probably a bit fitter than Jessie but she worked well today and I think she’ll be very competitive. It depends on what sort of run she gets (from eight).”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
7.39pm
“I can’t label her as a betting proposition from the draw, and in a tougher field, but you can never discount her as you know she’ll put herself in the race. You saw what she did last week - it doesn’t matter where she draws, she’ll launch.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Marylynes Boy
5.56pm
“Last week’s run was a non-event but he went well on debut. He’d have to be a shot, drawn the inside.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.57pm
“It’s a shame he hasn’t had more economical trips - he’s had some tough runs - and keeps going good races. He should go well again.”
Race 4: Lincoln Wave
6.57pm
“He burned himself out early in the derby. There was no race for him last week but he’s training well and should be right in it. His best races have been on the front end.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.56pm
“She’s got the draw and will lead out but she’s no match for Sammy Lincoln and looks better placed at Cambridge.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.56pm
“I think he’s turned the corner and can go on with the job. He will have gained a lot in confidence from last week’s win. We haven’t really tried him out of the gate but he’s a good horse who is improving all the time.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.56pm
“He pulled too hard when caught back on the markers last week. He’s got the same inside second row draw so we’ve taken the blinds off or he’d over-race again. When he draws a (good) gate we’ll put them back on again. Obviously he’s best on the front end.”
