Captain Nemo is racing better than his form line indicates.
Nemo can spark up on Tuesday but in-form trainer-tipster Mark says Hy Voltage is the one
By Barry Lichter • 13 November 2023
Hy Voltage looks the logical winner but trainer Mark Dux warns not to write off Captain Nemo’s chances at Albion Park on Tuesday.
As an R70 pacer, Lincoln Farms’ five-year-old doesn’t look well off in the ratings for the up-to-R90 sixth race, seemingly dominated by Hy Voltage (R90) and Surf Ace (R86).
But Dux says the horse is racing well enough to be a really good place chance and even has a winning hope - if things go his way.
“Hy Voltage is the one to beat but, in a small field, I wouldn’t write Nemo off,” said Dux who correctly labelled $9 winner Rock Supreme as a likely winner over Argyle last Saturday night.
With only six rivals, Captain Nemo won’t be far from the leaders even if he is crossed by the two higher class horses, he says.
“Jaccka Wally will lead out from two and I think he’ll hold. The two out wide are the high class horses, Hy Voltage and Surf Ace, and I thought they would go forward, but they probably wouldn’t cross him.”
Dux says he’d like to see driver Grant Dixon put Nemo in a nice spot and give him his chance but the odds are he’ll just come out steadily from four and look for some cover.
“I couldn’t back Surf Ace because he’s too much of a runaway at times, and can choke down, but Hy Voltage is settling a lot better lately and has been racing some of the better free-for-allers.”
Last Friday, Hy Voltage notched his 18th win in a similar up-to-R90 2139 metres, recording a very slick mile rate of 1:53.6. On Tuesday he drops back to 1660 metres, a distance he won over in August rating 1:52.5.
But Dux points to Nemo’s fresh-up third in August, just a head behind Hy Voltage, to illustrate he’s not out of contention on Tuesday.
“He’ll race well.”
Captain Nemo races at 6.37pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
More news in Harness
Watch Sammy Lincoln charge home and you’ll want to be on at Cambridge on Thursday night
Lincoln Wave scorches in, still on target for richer races and Sammy’s making progress too
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
4.59pm
“He’s racing well and I can’t fault him. The opposition is stronger this time but I can’t see why he won’t go another good race.”
Race 3: Spiritual Bliss
5.59pm
“She’s a good, tough mare. It depends on the trip you get in these sort of races but she loves it when they run hard and she can get some of the money.”
Race 3: Ultimate Cullect
5.59pm
“We haven’t had a lot of time to assess her yet. From the one drive I’ve had on her she doesn’t strike me as a sit-sprinter. But if they go hard, hopefully she’ll get home well.”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
6.57pm
“It’s a “brutal” race but she’s drawn to get a suck along and hopefully she can last well enough for a cheque.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.29pm
“There are a few in there that are better than him but he has a handicap advantage and, if he gets a good trip, he could get some of it. He steps well and his driver reckoned he would have won last week if he’d got the run at the right time.”
Race 10: Sammy Lincoln
9.23pm
“I can’t imagine him being beaten - they’d have to knock him over. He’s very fast and in case he has to move quickly early we’ll use the shorteners. I can’t see any problem with him going left-handed - he’s probably better that way.”
Race 11: Rivergirl Bella
9.54pm
“She’s honest and will try hard.”
