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
All hail Debbie, the new speed queen of Alex Park, as she tackles a mile from the pole
Ray reaches for the half hopples to keep Whats Up The Hill trotting at Cambridge on Thursday
Debbie Lincoln’s sizzling win has namesake Debbie Green excited about the future
A Moose in his happy place is a fast Moose but programming hurdles lie ahead
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Whats Up The Hill
4.59pm
“Fergie wasn’t exuding praise for him after his last start when he galloped away. But we’ve taken everything off him this time, no half hopples, no fixed deafeners, and that’s the same as when he won at Auckland last prep.”
Race 5: Lincoln La Moose
6.45pm
“The winner had it handed to him last time, when he went only 2:45.9, and that meant he outsprinted our boy with a 56.3 last half. When we won the previous week he went 2:40. He likes to roll along, so it will be tempo dependent. It’s his first go from a stand and only second at 2700 metres so we’ll find out if he likes it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Debbie Lincoln
6.49pm
“We’ve never really tried to leave the gate with her but, from the inside draw, she has the advantage and should lead or trail. You’d have to say on her last run she’s the best chance of our trio.”
Race 3: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.49pm
“He’s thriving and looking very well. He was only just beaten last time and, from two, should get every chance.”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
6.49pm
“His closing sectionals were very fast last week and he never goes a bad race. The draw isn’t as desirable, but the small field helps.”
Race 4: Tyson
7.21pm
“He had to do a lot of work last week. You can never count him out because he’s so tough.”
