Everything looking good for Argyle’s comeback tonight but it’s steady as she goes
By Barry Lichter • 25 January 2025
Don’t expect too much from Argyle when he resumes from a long injury break at Albion Park tonight.
While trainer Mark Dux is pleased with the condition of the now six-year-old, he says he’ll obviously improve with a couple of runs under his belt.
“I’m happy with him and I’m sure he’ll run OK. But first-up, after so long, we’ll drive him conservatively.”
Dux says Argyle has come back well from the suspensory ligament injury which stopped him last April and, after two trials, there has been no sign of any problem.
“He feels good and he’s had a couple of quiet trials. He ran last of three in the latest but we didn’t knock him around.”
Argyle has won three of his eight races in Queensland. PHOTO: Dan Costello.That heat, eight days ago, saw Argyle (racing in Grant Dixon’s black and white chequers) finish 13 metres behind fast pacer Frankie Ferocious and just six metres behind Manila Playboy in a 1:54 mile rate, the winner home in 55.2.
Dux said despite looking for an easier option for Argyle’s resumption, none of the weaker mid-week races stood up.
Argyle is the second highest rated horse in tonight’s band 5 event and to get him into the race Dux had to engage a junior claimer in Alanah Richardson.
But while Richardson has 121 wins to her credit she’ll need plenty of luck from two on the second row to feature in the finish.
“It will come down to where he lands and what sort of trip he gets, but I expect him to race well.”
Argyle, who has won three of his eight races in Queensland for Lincoln Farms, clocked his best time in his second last start, with a mile rate of 1:51.9 for the 1660 metres.
Argyle races at 9.14pm NZ time at Albion Park tonight.
More news in Harness
Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Cheapies The Night Fox and Lincoln Maree keep the tally ticking over at Cambridge
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Leo poised to roar again - he looks a ratings special at Cambridge on Thursday night
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
Leo Lincoln, Spiritual Bliss, Missy Lincoln, Lincoln Wave, Johnny Lincoln.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
