Mark on Albion Park chances: He’s working like the old Nemo except he’s a bit of a lad now

Two things have changed with Captain Nemo since he last raced.

Trainer Mark Dux likes one of them but he’s not so sure about the other.

With any luck, Dux says we’ll see a revitalised Nemo in the opening race at Albion Park on Friday night even though he hasn’t raced for three months.

“He couldn’t be going any better. The way he’s working this campaign compared with when he went out last time is like chalk and cheese.

“I’m really happy with him, he’s like the old Nemo. It’s how he was working when he first started racing here,” said Dux who won four races quite quickly with the horse including a hat-trick.

Weirdly, though, with the newfound vigour has come a complete change in the Nemo’s nature.

“For the last 12 months he’s been so quiet you wouldn’t have known he was a colt. Now he really knows it, he’s on his toes, he screams and carries on, and you can’t walk into a paddock with another horse.”

Brisbane-based Kiwi driver Luke Whittaker pilots Captain Nemo on Friday night.Dux is happy to put up with the antics if Nemo’s energy translates into success on the racetrack and he says the horse is feeling so good he’ll be very surprised if he doesn’t go a good race.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with him and, if he got the right sort of trip, nothing would surprise me.

“He’ll obviously improve with the run but I’m sure he’ll race well - it will just come down to how much work he has to do in the running.”

Dux is similarly pleased with Tommy Lincoln who takes on a strong field on Saturday night but over his preferred 1660 metre trip.

There’s been no racing for Tommy anywhere in the last three weeks, Dux having nominated him for every Saturday race as well as Fridays and Tuesdays and none of the races have stood up.

“But I don’t think it will worry him. I’m really happy with the way he’s going.”

Though only fourth at his last start on October 8 behind dead-heaters, Cruz Bromac and Turn It Up, and Will The Wizard, all rivals again on Saturday night, Tommy ran out of his skin.

Fastest last 400

Fifth of six in the running, Tommy unleashed a 54.64 last half, his last 400 of 25.85 the fastest in the race.

“In these fast class races if they happen to go only steady and you’re an extra 8 metres behind where you want to be, you can run the fastest last 400 like he did and still run only fourth.

“The fractions he’s running are as good as anything in the race. They don’t go much quicker anywhere.”

Dux is confident Tommy can beat pole runner Subtle Delight for early speed but is not sure if he can cross Cardlesfromheaven immediately inside him.

“I’m worried about the two horse. He hasn’t drawn to come off the gate for a long time but he has a bit of speed.

“From three you have to have a look and see what happens. Turn It Up will lead but I’d like to think we can cross the two then be behind the leader. If that happens there’s no reason he can’t run a place.”

Captain Nemo races at 8.52pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.Tommy Lincoln races at 10.42pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.