Captain Nemo needs only a little luck to be Topping his rivals at Albion Park tonight
By Barry Lichter • 13 October 2023
His draw isn’t ideal but Captain Nemo needs only a little luck to score a deserved win at Albion Park tonight.
While Captain Nemo has drawn eight in the fifth race, the fact he is the sole second line runner gives claiming driver Jordan Topping the chance to move out into the running line early, says trainer Mark Dux.
“The back row is better than seven and if he gets any luck he can beat them.
“I’m very happy with him - he’s trained really well since his last race.”
Jordan Topping has driven 70 winners.From gate seven on October 3, driver Angus Garrard was forced to drop to the rear and the horse finished on for third as a $34 outsider, less than 10 metres from the winner Luvbite, who clocked a mile rate of 1:55.4 for the 2138 metres, home in 56.6 and 28.2.
From two tonight over 1660 metres, Dux says Luvbite is the logical leader again and the one for the equal top-rated Captain Nemo to beat.
“If Luvbite walks and gets a cheap middle half it will make it hard for us but if something makes Luvbite do a little work, Nemo will be right there with an ounce of luck.”
Topping, 20, who has 70 wins to her name, 28 of them last season, would do a good job on the horse, Dux said.
“I think he’s a really good hope in the small field. He’s put in only one average run this time in, when driven hard, and he hasn’t had a great deal of luck in the others, hitting the line well every time.”
Captain Nemo races at 10.49pm NZ time at Albion Park tonight.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Johnny Lincoln
5.39pm
“He didn’t do anything at Auckland last start but seems to go better left-handed and placed at Cambridge in his only start there.”
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.39pm
“Her driver (Harrison Orange) said she would have won last start had that horse (Mr Miki) not stopped in her face. The winner was gone by the time she saw daylight. She will just need some luck from the second row draw.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.39pm
“He should have won last start at Auckland but we’ve taken the blinds off on Friday night and, in a weaker line-up, going left-handed, we’ll see how he goes.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.37pm
“I think the race will be won or lost soon after the start. It’s out of our control, we just have to hope she gets a run through and then I’m sure she’ll be hard to beat.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.40pm
“She’s got a little bit of lick but only has a short sprint, so timing is everything.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.40pm
“Being put in the race from the start last time obviously took a bit of the sting out of him. But at least there’s no chance that will happen this time from the second row. In his previous races he’d ducked for cover and got sucked along but he needs a decent tempo, he’s no sit-sprinter.”
