Mark: Brave Captain Nemo in form but that outside draw on Friday night is just a killer
By Barry Lichter • 8 March 2023
Captain Nemo raced right up to his courageous best at Albion Park last week but faces a near impossible task there on Friday evening, says trainer Mark Dux.
“I’d like to find a positive but there are none - that outside draw is just a killer and in a good field it’s going to be super hard for him.
“Last week even though it was a strong field I still had a feeling he might race well, from the good draw, and he did.”
Driven to an early lead, Captain Nemo was clearly headed down the back straight but fought his way back to lead again early in the home straight.
And he never flinched late over the 2138 metres, going under by just 1.7 metres and half a head.
“But this week, from seven, over 1660 metres, I just can’t see how he can get into it.”
Equal lowest rated in the field, but starting from the worst draw, Nemo comes up against a number of future free-for-allers on the way up, says Dux.
“Angus (Garrard) will just drive him how he feels and he’ll do the best he can.
“It’s a shame because I’m really happy with the horse. He pulled up well and has done terrific this week.
“When the right one stands up, Nemo’s pretty good but he has his off days because he races so tough.”
Dux is likely to let Nemo stay at home next week, depending on what sort of a run he gets on Friday.
“I thought I might change it up a bit and not run him every week. We’ll miss a week here and there.
“He might handle that better than running week after week because he races so tough, it’s not like he ever gets any easy trips.”
Captain Nemo races at 8.25pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.
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Spiritual Bliss notches hat-trick and pushes Lincoln Farms’ season tally to record 43
Our runners this week
Sunday at Cambridge
Lincoln Maree, Lincoln Lover, Lincoln Downs.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
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.”
