Captain Nemo will be driven more quietly out of the gate at Albion Park on Friday. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Captain Nemo rigged for silent running at Albion Park on Friday
By Barry Lichter • 15 September 2021
Captain Nemo is coming off the worst run of his career and is stepping up out of his grade but trainer Mark Dux is still confident he can acquit himself well at Albion Park on Friday.
Stewards ordered a veterinary examination of Captain Nemo after he dropped out before the home turn on September 3 and finished a long last, a far cry from his previous three runs when despite being trapped wide he still finished in the money.
Captain Nemo had a slow recovery rate after the race but nothing else was found to be amiss even when Dux had further tests done on the horse.
“Everything seems OK. You can never be 100 percent sure but my gut feeling tells me it was just that he got too fired up and pulled very hard.
“He’s never really been asked to come off the gate hard and he got far too keen. He really latched on.”
Incredibly, despite the first quarter being cut out in 27.1, and half in 56.1, Captain Nemo still pulled his head off outside the leader.
On Friday, Dux says Captain Nemo will have the luxury of starting from two on the front row, which he says will make life a lot easier for him.
“He can fall out and lob straight in the running line instead of having to burn hard from from seven or the back row.
“Yes, he is racing in a higher grade than he has to but I think he’s up to the task. I think he can win it with the right run.”
Captain Nemo is the lowest rated pacer in the rating 70 to 85 event, plan B for Dux after two easier races he was entered for were canned.
“I’ve had to step him up in grade, and it’s a decent field, but I’m not worried about that as I think he’ll handle it and I can’t see him not running a good race.
“The one (Chiasso) should hold the lead. We can just mosey out and see what happens.
“Sometimes you’ve just got to turn the page. He’s done well since that last race and has trained well.”
Punters who made Captain Nemo a hot favourite in his last two starts won’t forget in a hurry his enormous win over 2138 metres on August 3 when he went back, was checked, then improved to sit three wide solo in the running and still proved too good.
Captain Nemo races at 8.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
