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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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Tyson
5.31pm
“He’s not the best steering horse in the world. He’ll win races but he’s a funny horse and you can never be sure which Tyson will turn up.”
Race 3: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.29pm
“Drawn the outside of the second line he was never going to be in the hunt last time but Maurice said he paced much better. We’re trying him in spreaders and from one on the second row he should get a better trip. It all depends on which one turns up. We know he’s capable of winning if he comes with his A game.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.30pm
“I’ve changed his bit to try to slow him down. He’s been pulling too hard. He’s an honest horse who you can never count out.”
Race 5: Kevin Kline
7.30pm
“I’m always pleased with Kevin - he never runs a bad race. He gave the favourite (Mantra Blue) a bit of a fright last week and in another 20 metres I think he would have got her. It’s only 1700 metres this time and he looks a good chance. The five draw shouldn’t bother him as he can do a bit of work.”
Race 7: The Rascal
8.22pm
“I thought he was pretty good last week despite not handling the corners. I’ve put spreaders on him this time, and he’s trained well in them, so it should give him every opportunity. I rate him a winning chance.”
