Louie wanted to wait for them but he can’t do that from his trailing draw on Friday

Louie The Punter, pipped late in his Queensland debut at Albion Park last week, just needs an ounce of luck to feature there again on Friday.

Drawn the inside of the second line in the eighth race, the horse’s fortunes will hinge on whether pole runner Congo Line can hold the lead, says trainer Mark Dux.

“The one horse does have gate speed and likes to lead and, if he does, we’re in the race right up to our ears,” says Dux. “If he can’t - and there are a couple who might try to come across - being three back is not the end of the world, he’ll just need a touch of luck.”

Dux expects Louie The Punter to be improved for last week’s run, his first for two months and, even more importantly, leading driver Pete McMullen will be a lot wiser about his charge.

McMullen did not contest the early burn last week, when Glenledi Commander and Smooth Cash went through the lead time in a scorching 34.4.

“I can’t remember a quicker lead time here. Pete even had to do a bit of chasing to hold their backs.”

McMullen did not risk being trapped in behind the leading pair, who capitulated and finished a long last, and moved three wide from the one-one all of 700 metres from home.

“He knew the ones in front would give up quick because they went so crazy, but while he went straight past them when he got to the lead the horse didn’t seem to know what he was doing. He was a bit stop-start and seemed to want to wait for them.”

Despie rallying bravely in the run home, Louie went under by half a neck to I’m Jimmy James.

“Pete said he’s a much better trier than his brother (Lincoln Farms’ former pacer) Double Or Nothing (whom he drove 20 times).

“Missing the trial the previous week wouldn’t have helped him either but Pete was happy with him and is going to try to stay with him if he can.”

Captain Nemo … has had no luck in recent starts. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Nemo luckless

Dux drives Captain Nemo in the tenth race and says he’s hoping he can get a little more luck than in his previous few runs.

“I don’t think his runs have been that bad, things have just gone against him.

“Every time I went to pull out at Redcliffe last week they all wanted to go. The field turned out to be a lot better than I anticipated and he paced roughly again on that top bend.”

Dux says the plan on Friday will be to put Captain Nemo on the speed, despite drawing wide in six.

“I don’t want to burn a 26 quarter to get there but we do need to be handy, there’s no doubt about that. I don’t want to be out the back again.

“Half the battle is getting him on the bit and travelling and if we can sit outside the leader, he’s a top three chance for sure.”

Captain Nemo drops to an up to rating 80 race, compared with last week’s up to rating 90.

Louie The Punter races at 6.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.Captain Nemo races at 7.24pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.