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
Wednesday at Auckland
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
5.10pm
“I can’t believe he’s not picked in four (on the HRNZ website). He actually headed Cyclone Rebel last start but switched off. We’ve added sliding blinds which seem to have helped in training and he’s got to be a good each-way chance. He just needs a bit of luck from six on the gate.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
5.10pm
“He’ll need some luck from the outside but hopefully he can still get a cheque. He doesn’t have as much speed as Prince Lincoln.”
Race 7: Spiritual Bliss
6pm
“I think she’ll be able to handle the rise in class. She’s a pretty good mare who keeps finding when the pressure goes on. It won’t be easy but she has a good draw and has already run a mile in 1:55.3.”
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
6pm
“It’s hard to know how she compares with Spiritual Bliss but I think they’re both chances. Debbie Lincoln is still the fastest three-year-old to win over 1700 metres around Alexandra Park and she was excellent again when just pipped by Tyson last time.”
Race 12: Tyson
8.38pm
“The rise in class won’t stop him. If they go a bit harder, he can still run a 56 half off a solid pace. He’s improving all the time, more than I thought he would. He could easily win again.”
Race 12: Leo Lincoln
8.38pm
“We threw him in the deep end first-up when he really needed another trial. That race will bring him on a bit but I think he’ll need another before we see him at his best.”
