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.
More news in Harness
Worse draw puts unlucky Tyson in better spot to win at Auckland on Friday night
Debbie Lincoln’s home stretch burst pointer of things to come; but her draw rankles on Friday
Streets’ donation raises $100,000 for charity and Timmy could be a supermarket special
Sugar Ray Lincoln and Kevin Kline in fighting form for Friday night at Auckland
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: What’s Up The Hill
5.33pm
“He hasn’t raced for more than four months but he’s trotting well in training and has had a couple of workouts. He steps well so if Fergie can keep him away from the others, and he slides on from the 20 metre mark, he could even lead, and that would make him the one to beat. It doesn’t take much for him to lose concentration though.”
Race 4: Lincoln La Moose
6.23pm
“He hasn’t raced for a while but should go well. He finished off his workout really well on a 26.9 quarter for a close fourth behind some good ones (Greased Lightnin, Beetastic and Diamonds Are Forever). He beat himself in his last few runs by racing too keenly but he’s capable enough.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.30pm
“She went to the line under a hold last week. She’s right up there with the best of them but you’re no chance when you get back like that. She hasn’t got a good draw again but it’s a small field and hopefully they won’t walk and only sprint home. Joyride looks the one to beat.”
Race 3: Tyson
6.23pm
“He was definitely beaten by the draw last week. He never got the chance to get out. From five this time he won’t get jammed up and can go forward and put himself in the race.”
Race 6: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.52pm
“Sugar Ray has a tad more speed than Kevin, but he had to sit parked for the last 1200 metres last week. You’d think he’ll get a good trip this time from the inside draw.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.52pm
“Kevin is as honest as they come. He’s a bit more genuine than Sugar Ray. He closed fast from the back last Friday and is better suited over 2200 metres this week.”
