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
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
