Captain Nemo was only sixth at Redcliffe but ran some of the fastest sectionals in the race.
Mark: One more run and improving Captain Nemo will be ready to torpedo his rivals
By Barry Lichter • 11 July 2024
A wide draw looks set to consign Captain Nemo to the also-rans again at Albion Park on Friday evening but trainer Mark Dux says he’ll be cherry ripe next time.
Nemo resumed from a freshener at Redcliffe last week where Dux says everything was against him - the tight track, the second row barrier, and the race tempo - but he still ran a satisfactory sixth.
“It went like we expected, a steady first half (62.2) and quick last half (56.7) and he couldn’t get into the race. But his sectionals were still very good.”
In coming from second last in the running, and courtesy of a corner-cutting drive by young gun Angus Garrard, Nemo clocked the fastest third quarter of 27.93 and equal second fastest last half of 56.78.
“To run those times at Redcliffe was pretty good and he was less than 13 metres away at the finish.
“I’m happy with him and one more run to tighten him up and he’ll be all set to go, close to winning.
“It’s not an easy race on Friday and, from an average draw, we’ll drive him quietly again so he’ll be at the mercy of the tempo.
“But funny things happen in racing. They could go silly and we might be able to get over the top of them. If he gets the right trip I could see him hitting the line well and sneaking into the money.”
Captain Nemo races at 6.33pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.
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Ray’s comments
Wednesday night at Cambridge
Race 7: Im Not The Maid
8.16pm
“She’ll need all of Gary Hall’s skills to get on the podium tonight. She only battled away when resuming in a fast-run race here last week and gets a niggly draw here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 5: Tyson
7.40pm
“He was squeezed up late last week but, with a run through earlier, I reckon he could just about have rounded them up. He never goes a bad race and he’s got to be the one to beat this time from the good draw in an easier field.”
Race 6: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.07pm
“He was good running third three weeks ago despite getting a flat tyre. I think he’ll go really well again. He was very good in a workout last week.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
8.07pm
“I can’t separate him and Sugar Ray. It will come down to whichever one gets the better trip. He beat a similar field here last time when leading.”
