Good draw gives Argyle a chance to secure sweet trip and go back-to-back on Saturday
By Barry Lichter • 6 October 2023
Trainer Mark Dux can see a likely scenario that will give Argyle a great chance of scoring back-to-back wins at Albion Park on Saturday night.
The four-year-old put a long drought behind him when he exploded home to score at odds of $31 last week and, in a field of similar quality this week, he has finally landed a good draw in the second race.
But while Argyle and Angus Garrard will leave the gate from two, Dux doubts they can cross the pole runner, Luvbite, who led all the way from one on Tuesday.
“There is speed outside us though and I can Midnight Calm going forward - when he’s free rolling in front he can run a bit of time.
“It will all come down to whether Luvbite holds the lead and, if he does, and leaves Midnight Calm out there, we could be sitting pretty in the one-one. If that unfolds we’ll be strong at the finish.”
Dux believes he finally has Argyle in the right condition to hold his form.
“He hasn’t had a decent campaign yet, something’s always gone wrong. But I can’t fault him at the moment, his times have been good, and I think he’ll be thereabouts.”
If you go back through Argyle’s form, Dux says you’ll see how he’s come up against far better fields.
In his first start in the state last November he finished second in a Group III three-year-old race behind Future Assured, now a free-for-all horse with 11 wins.
Since then, first a knee injury then a foot abscess have sidelined him for long periods.
“It’s a nice enough field on Saturday night but I’m sure he’ll race well.”
Only two horses in the 1660 metre race are rated higher than Argyle, giving him a great shot at taking the major slice of the A$20,770 stake.
Argyle races at 9.13pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night
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Ray’s comments
Tuesday at Addington
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
4.03pm
“She’s drawn out but I think she’s got the gate speed to be put into the race. You’ve got to be handy to beat the good ones and we don’t want to be stuck behind some of the others. The one drawn two inside us, Arafura, looks the one to beat but Debbie is as good as anything in the race in my opinion. It’s not going to be easy but I’m hopeful. She’s done well down here and is in good shape.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 5: Im Not The Maid
6.17pm
“The draw helps and while she’s very honest she still needs to improve. Gary Hall said she was a bit stop-start last time but he cut corners and wasn’t too far away at the finish. He reckoned his toe rope broke at the top of the straight.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
7.49pm
“She showed no speed when resuming and it’s hard to see her playing a part in this.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
7.49pm
“She went the best of them last time, was hampered turning or home, and could improve.”
Race 8: Jessie Lincoln
7.49pm
“She’s a big filly but so far, so good. There are a few negatives, like the second row draw and it being her first time under lights, but I think she could go quite well. It’s not a wonderful lot against her and she’s training well.”
Race 8: Lincoln’s Spice
7.49pm
“She over-raced early first-up and burned herself out. She’s a delicate little thing but we’ll put some plugs in her this week. Last time in I thought she could be the best of them. Whether the others have caught her up or she’s gone backwards I don’t know.”
