Captain Nemo (pink saddlecloth) rushes home for a close fifth when clear late last start.
Captain Nemo running fast sectionals and just needs some luck from dreaded outside draw
By Barry Lichter • 2 October 2023
Ignore the 3965 form line - Captain Nemo needs only a little luck from the outside of the gate to win at Albion Park on Tuesday evening.
The Captaintreacherous five-year-old gets into the sixth race as the highest equal rated horse and his recent sixth and fifth placings hide some fast sectionals.
Two starts back, when driven by 21-year-old claiming junior Paige Bevan, Nemo went back from the outside gate and came from well back for fifth, running the fastest middle 800 (57.52), the fastest last 800 (55.92) and fastest last 400 (27.77).
And last week his fifth was also much better than it might appear on paper, when he started from the inside of the second row for 16-year-old claimer Layne Dwyer.
Nemo’s sectionals were again right up with the dividend-payers when after being trapped four deep on the pegs, he angled out in the run home, doing his best work when clear to be just 4.4 metres from the winner who clocked a fast 1:52.9 mile rate.
Nemo’s only disappointing run in four starts back, says trainer Mark Dux, was when he was driven hard, three wide to the death seat at the bell.
“He’s going way better when we go back and drive him quietly and that’s what Angus (Garrard) will do on Tuesday.
“It will all depend on how hard they go but he should be hard to beat. His last two runs have been very good and I really think he’s right up to (winning) it. His work has been terrific and I’m really happy with him.
“It’s not a bad race by any stretch but with a bit of luck he’ll be right in it.”
Dux rates second line runners Amami and Rocktagonal hard to beat, along with the pole runner and likely pacemaker Luvbite who, while a serial placegetter, won two starts back when able to lead.
Captain Nemo races at 6.07pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
