Don’t get choked up about Tommy, he’s going as fast as ever and just needs some luck

Most of the time when your horse runs his last mile of a 2138 metre race in 1:52.6 you’d be celebrating a win or at least a placing.

So where do you think Tommy Lincoln ran at Albion Park last week, clocking that sectional along with an equally sizzling closing half of 53.5?

How about last!

The importance of field position in Queensland, and split second decisions by drivers, was illustrated perfectly when Tommy, impressive winner of his previous two starts, trailed home Blacksadance and four others last Saturday night.

Blacksadance went no better than Tommy over his last mile, recording 1:52.35 and covering 10 metres less, but because he was on the front end, he won the race.

Trainer Mark Dux says Tommy’s race went bad as soon as driver Mathew Neilson tried to restrain him off the arm.

Virtually crawling off the gate, Blacksadance clocked only 14.18 seconds for his first 200 metres, a full second slower than Yep Got Chooks registered over 2138 metres in a much lower grade earlier in the night.

Tommy ran just 15.22 as Neilson wrestled with Nemo, who ran wide on the first turn.

The blue shaded areas show that while Tommy Lincoln ran last of six last week he was the fastest in four stages of the race - first half, middle half, first quarter of the last mile and second quarter.

“Tommy’s been going forward in his last few starts and he got a bit keen,” Dux said. “Mathew half choked him pulling him back and said the horse was gasping for air on pulling up because he’d been fighting him so hard.

“In hindsight, maybe he should have let him roll when they came out.”

That option is not one Neilson will have on Saturday night with Tommy drawn the inside of the second row, from where Dux says he’ll need plenty of luck.

Tommy follows out Warfare who looks certain to hand up and put him three deep, not the horse’s favoured position in running.

“We just have to hope he gets some luck. It will be a bit difficult for him but I wouldn’t write him off. He’s going well enough to get some of it if things do go his way.

“The back ones are the ones to beat - Mach Da Vinci and Manila Playboy - it will just come down, as always, to the trips they get.”

Angus Garrard is back on Captain Nemo on Saturday night and knows him well. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Captain Nemo, who lines up in the opening race, had no chance the way he was driven last week, said Dux.

Taken back to last, then asked to go three wide and pace a 26.32 third quarter, Nemo understandably weakened and beat only one home.

To his credit, Dux said claiming driver Luke Whittaker put his hand up and admitted he drove the horse badly.

“His first mistake was going back off the gate. He should have popped round outside the leader then he’d have been there when they sprinted.

“His second mistake was not taking off before the favourite Surf Ace then he’d have been on the speed instead of getting stuck three wide.”

Nemo faces a stronger field this week but Dux can see him getting a good run through from two on the second row.

“Angus (Garrard) is back on too and that will help as he knows the horse well.

“I can’t see why he won’t race all right but, like Tommy, he’ll be relying on luck from the alley.”

Captain Nemo races at 8.16pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.Tommy Lincoln races at 9.42pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.