Our gutsy Tommy’s ready for another sizzler at Albion Park on Saturday night

Trainer Mark Dux is looking for a top three finish from Tommy Lincoln tonight after his fighting fourth in the fastest mile ever run at Albion Park.

Dux believes Lincoln Farms’ flagship pacer should really have filled a spot in last week’s sizzler, when winner Blacksadance stopped the clock at a track record 1:50 flat mile rate for the 1660 metres.

Dux calculated Tommy’s own time at 1:50.81, only four tenths of a second outside the previous record held by Cruz, and says he would probably have held third had driver Angus Garrard not come out of the trail to challenge round the home turn.

“Angus said he was travelling and he thought the leader was hanging a little and might come back on top of him and he didn’t want his momentum stopped.

“But when they’re going that fast you don’t want to leave the pegs. He could have ducked up the sprint lane and, while he wouldn’t have won, he’d probably have run third.”

Tommy Lincoln fights on for fourth behind Blacksadance in a track record 1:50 mile rate.As it was, first Northview Hustler, who had been three deep, then Bitcoin, also on the markers, gathered him in, Tommy finishing 11.4 metres from the winner, but still recording closing sectionals of 54.95 and 28.11.

Dux says Tommy has trained well this week and believes he will have the horse even fitter for tonight’s fourth race which is over the longer 2138 metres.

“Last week I didn’t train him like normal because I tried him in the anti choke device but this week he’s had all the work he normally gets.”

The effectiveness of the anti-choke device was proven when Tommy showed no signs of dropping out like he did at his previous stat when Dux is sure he was cutting off his wind.

“He settled nicely last week and his breathing was good. If he can breathe, he can run.

“It’s a good tough race this week - with Northview Hustler, Turn It Up, It Ain’t The Money and Deus Ex - but barring bad luck I’m hoping for a top three finish.

“He’ll get a nice run from the inside again and, while there’s a lot of speed in the race, I’m not worried if he holds up or hands.

“But we don’t want to hand to one who will hand to another, and be left sitting three back, so hopefully he can let only one go.”

In all likelihood that one will be the Hustler, who has found top form again with Jack Butler, and goes up to his preferred trip tonight.

Madi Dux, drove a perfect race on Captain Nemo last week. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Same tactics with Nemo

Dux will be using the same tactics as last week with Captain Nemo who outran his $34 outside odds last week with an excellent 2.9 metre second.

Even though Nemo has drawn wide out in six, his instructions to daughter Madi will be to try to find the spot outside the leader without doing too much work.

“He went terrific last week, she gave him every hope. He’s stronger for longer if he doesn’t have to burn too hard off the gate.

“There’s a bit of speed inside us but we’ve got enough speed to come across with The Ideal Dancer. I don’t think there’ll be a lead for the horses out wide but I think he’d be happy to take a trail.”

Dux says the key with Nemo is to get him outside the leader, pacing strongly.

“He travelled really well there the other day, like the old Nemo. That’s how he travelled last prep. A couple of times recently he’s got there but has been off the bit and we’ve been niggling at him.

“He’s done well this week and I’m sure he’ll race great again. I don’t think Pelosi is going as well as she can and it will be hard for her from seven, she’ll have to go back from there.”

Captain Nemo races at 7.39pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.Tommy Lincoln races at 8.40pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.