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Good draw gives Argyle a chance to secure sweet trip and go back-to-back on Saturday

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 nightArgyle races at 9.13pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night

Our runners this week

Friday night at Addington

Debbie Lincoln.

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Nathan Delany

Nathan’s comments

Thursday night at Cambridge

Race 3: Jessie Lincoln
6.39pm

“She was very good first-up - Harry said she was still coming at the line - and I’m sure she’ll go pretty well again. The way she trains over 2400 metres, you’d think the extra 500 metres will help.”

Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.39pm

“I was quite happy with her last run at Cambridge, she’s improved a lot since Auckland. It’s a shame she’s got a bad draw this week but if she can hit the line well again, I’ll be happy.”

Race 5: Dreams Of Eric
7.34pm

“I think he’ll be a good chance because he continues to train very well. I’ll leave it up to Harry how he drives him this week but you’d think he’d lead again.”

Nathan Delany

Nathan’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 3: Tyson
6.52pm

“He had to do a bit much work last time - from a niggly draw he went round and sat parked. He’s drawn three on Friday, which is perfect, as he can just mooch up there. He keeps going good races in stronger fields and needs two more starts and some more points to qualify for the Golden Gait.”

Race 8: Kevin Kline
9.24pm

“He’s up against the better ones now, like Cold Chisel, but he keeps doing a good job. He’s a tough horse who keeps improving and he’s training really well. I thought he’d be a chance.”

Dan Costello Race Photography