Turning for home last week and Captain Nemo is second and battling bravely, after a very fast mile.
Mark looking for top three finish from brave Captain Nemo at Albion Park on Tuesday
By Barry Lichter • 12 December 2022
Captain Nemo needs only a little luck to finish in the top three at Albion Park tomorrow afternoon, says trainer Mark Dux.
While Captain Nemo couldn’t live up to his favouritism tag last week, Dux rated the horse’s effort to finish fourth as first rate.
“I thought his run was terrific considering he sat parked and they went a 1:52.2 mile rate, which is very good time for that grade,” Dux said.
Captain Nemo left the gate fast and, while he secured the early one-one sit, driver Angus Garrard popped out and went round, believing the lead would be there for him.
It wasn’t, and the horse had to sit parked but he never gave in, was still running second early in the run home, and fought on bravely to be 14.6 lengths from the winner Kanye Crusader.
“I don’t think he has to sit outside the leader, he races as good from behind. He just needs a solid tempo.
“There’s a little bit of gate speed there so he’ll come out steady and let the race unfold.
“The outside two - Betterthandiamonds and Bitcoin - are dropping back a long way in class and look the ones to beat.
“But I’m really happy with our horse, he’s done terrific since the race and, with a reasonable trip I wouldn’t be surprised to see him finish in the top three.”
Captain Nemo races at 4.52pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
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Phone home - ET trotter Whats Up The Hill blasts off with narrow Escape at Auckland
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
What’s Up The Hill.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 3: Onyx Shard
5.09pm
“She’s working really well and, from the good draw, hopefully she can run a drum. The field’s not that much harder than the one she beat last time at Manawatu (when parked for the last lap).”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
5.09pm
“We’re very happy with him - he’s come back a better horse. He went well at Auckland last start and is working well. We’ll be looking to go forward from the gate and hopefully get a gun run through behind Onyx Shard. On ability, he’s the better chance of the two.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.39pm
“He stepped like a bullet in his first go from a stand here in March. I thought he’d do the same on the second day but he galloped. We’ve got an overcheck on and hopple shorteners on Tuesday so he should make a good beginning. If he can step and lead, then maybe take a trail, he should be hard to beat. He likes it down there where the track is quite soft.”
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 3: Onyx Shard
6.04pm
“I thought I had Kevin Kline covered on Tuesday when we got to the straight because she was really travelling but he kicked away on us. It would be nice if she can get out of the gate as well again - she has good gate speed - and, if she does, she can get some of it again.”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
6.04pm
“He was too good for them on Tuesday, thanks to a great Fergy drive, and he’s in the same field again this time. The extra distance and wide draw shouldn’t make much of a difference and he’s our best of the night.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.02pm
“He’ll be hard to beat again if he steps like he did on Tuesday. The 10 metre handicap shouldn’t stop him. I think he’s even better if he follows something and the extra 500 metres isn’t a worry.”
