Captain Nemo will be very hard to beat if he can lead at Redcliffe tonight. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Nemo looks a winner but Tommy will have to settle for a place on tight Redcliffe circuit
By Barry Lichter • 12 March 2022
The draws at Redcliffe tonight point to Captain Nemo as a winning chance and Tommy Lincoln as no better than a place chance.
That’s the advice of trainer Mark Dux who takes Lincoln Farms’ pair to the tight 833 metre circuit with Albion Park still out of action.
Dux says it looks like repair work at the No. 1 Brisbane track will take another two or three weeks after the recent bad flooding.
“But we can’t sit at home doing nothing until then and while Redcliffe won’t really suit them - they can both hang a little - I’m not too worried.”
Dux says he plans to drive Captain Nemo a little harder out of the gate in tonight’s sixth race at 11.10pm NZ time, with the intention of leading from the pole.
“The 2040 metre start is good at Redcliffe from the inside and, if he leads, something would have to go wrong for him to be beaten.
“There are a couple outside him with a bit of speed but he’s better than them. He’s been racing better horses at Albion Park.”
Captain Nemo goes into tonight’s race fitter for his fresh-up run at Albion Park on February 2 when he fought hard after being parked outside the hot pot Juddy Douglas in a 1:55.4 mile rate.
Tommy Lincoln is lining up in the opener at 8.29pm NZ time for the first time in nearly five months after his resumption was delayed by a virus.
But, while Dux is very happy with how the horse is training, he says his second row barrier draw effectively sinks his winning chance.
“The favourite (former Southlander) Deus Ex should lead on his ear from three and, if he does, we won’t beat him. He’ll get no pressure and run a big half and you can’t get around them on the Redcliffe track.
“I’ll tell Angus (Garrard) to drive him for a place - drive him cold and let him run home. You can’t think that he can win unless things go pear shaped for the favourite.
“But I’ll be pleased if he can finish in the top three.”
Tommy Lincoln races at 8.29pm at Redcliffe on Saturday night.
Captain Nemo races at 11.10pm at Redcliffe on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Sammy’s back, trialling well, and the bookies are keeping him very safe on Friday night
Ignore the form line, Spirit Of God can answer punters’ prayers in Friday’s get-out stakes
Lincoln Wave poised for cheeky showing at Auckland on Friday night despite ratings
Prince has timekeepers reaching for record books again but where does his future lie?
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.03pm
“He’s had a decent spell and is looking in good nick and I think he should be competitive on Friday as he’s fairly forward. He’s not one who takes a lot to screw down so I’m picking he’ll come to it pretty quickly.”
Race 3: Colonel Lincoln
6.03pm
“He’s training down well enough. The draw’s probably got him covered but he’ll go an honest race. He’s been outclassed a few times but he very rarely goes a bad race.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.54pm
“He had surgery to correct an epiglottal entrapment and will probably need the run. I wouldn’t say he’s on top of his game yet but he’s drawn well (one) and steps well so I’m picking he’ll get a nice trip. He’s up there in the grades now but hopefully he’s good enough to get a cheque.”
Race 9: Ultimate Cullect
8.54pm
“She locked on a rein at Cambridge and Andre couldn’t get her to go down into the passing lane. He said she was travelling well at the time. She’ll find this tough and needs a solid pace to be of any effect. A sit and sprint is no good for her.”
