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Captain Nemo’s field forms a perfect arrow head as they approach the finishing post at Albion Park last Saturday.

Nemo will find it tough on Friday and Tommy’s out, waiting for the guns to go home

Captain Nemo is on the improve but he’ll find it tough at Albion Park on Friday, says trainer Mark Dux.

Nemo, a rating 76 horse, missed out on his preferred start on Saturday night, and is one of the lowest rated runners in the sixth race for up to rating 90 pacers.

“It’s a pretty strong field - every bit as good as last week, maybe stronger - and while he’s starting to get back to where he was, he’s not quite there yet.”

Dux was very pleased with how Nemo performed in only his second run back last Saturday night - from the second row he trailed winner Ronaldo all the way and fought hard in the run home for third.

“I was more than happy with the run, it told me he’s heading in the right direction and he’s done well since.

“We’ll come out steady on Friday, get into the running line, and play it by ear.”

But with Ronaldo a rival again and the rating 94 Mafuta Vautin and rating 92 Saucy Dreams also in the field, Dux isn’t getting his hopes up too high.

Racing at this time of the year has become very tough, he says, with so many interstate horses in Queensland for the winter carnival.

“Once they brought only their best ones but now a few more come as well and if you’re even a touch down on form it’s hard.”

Break for Tommy

That’s why Dux has decided to give Tommy Lincoln a short break, after he was made first emergency for the opening race on Saturday night.

Tommy looked well outclassed anyway in the hot field which includes Miracle Mile runner-up Jilliby Kung Fu.

Dux says he’s not sure why Tommy stopped last Saturday night after leading a weaker field as a warm favourite.

“I don’t know whether he just had an off night or if the 26.6 first quarter played into it. That other horse was in our face the rest of the way too.

“I’ll give him a week off to freshen up and then start again. Hopefully all the good ones will have gone home in a month.”

Captain Nemo races at 6.07pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.Captain Nemo races at 6.07pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.Tommy Lincoln was balloted out at Albion Park on Saturday night so will have a short break.Tommy Lincoln was balloted out at Albion Park on Saturday night so will have a short break.

Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm

“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”

Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm

“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”

Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm

“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”

Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm

“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”

Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm

“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”

Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm

“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”

Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm

“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”

Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm

“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”

Whales Harness