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 Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
