Captain Nemo and Paul Diebert out-tough their rivals at Albion Park earlier in the month. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Periscope on Our Action Man but our Captain Nemo can dictate from the draw on Tuesday
By Barry Lichter • 23 August 2021
Tough-as-teak pacer Captain Nemo looks mighty hard to beat again on Tuesday in what looks a two-horse race at Albion Park.
And this time, Lincoln Farms’ three-year-old has the advantage in the draw over his last-start conqueror Our Action Man, starting from five on the front compared with his rivals’ second row eight.
Captain Nemo has stunned everyone with his last two starts in Brisbane, sitting three wide without cover, winning on August 3 and a week later getting up off the canvas on the home turn to claw back into second.
Trainer Mark Dux described his last start performance as “a very decent effort” after he was timed to run his last half, solo three wide, in 56.46.
“I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t race well again. I could have run him last week but I opted to miss a week because he had had those two gut-busters.
“But he’s done terrific - I’m more than happy with him - and barring bad luck he’ll be right in the finish.”
Dux says Captain Nemo should roll across from five and sit right on the speed over the 1660 metres.
“We can’t be going back over a mile. I’d like to be in front of Our Action Man, even if we’re parked, so we can dictate.”
Dux says it’s hard to see Our Action Man getting as good a trip as last start when he was able to lead as he liked from gate two.
While pole runner Jay Tee Tyron has a bit of gate speed, Dux says he hasn’t been going so well lately so is unlikely to give the favourite, drawn on his back, a drag into the race.
“Our Action Man will still be hard to beat but he won’t be getting it as easy as last time. And I don’t think any of the other horses are going super.
“It comes down to a two-horse race and we just need an ounce of luck.”
Captain Nemo, by Captaintreacherous out of Arden Caviar, is chasing his seventh win for Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street, Gareth Paddison, the Green Machine Syndicate, Grant Dickey, Peter Dougherty and Ian Middleton.
Captain Nemo races at 8.30pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
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Nathan’s comments
Thurday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
6.03pm
“He’s just come back from a two-week break and seems a lot better after the freshen-up. He’s training really well but this will be like a trial for him. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race so, from five, he won’t be put into the early rush. We’re still aiming him at the Harness 5000 at Ashburton in December.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
4.44pm
“He was held up last week but still got home really well, hard on their backs and, with the right trip, he’ll be dangerous. But the race looks suited to a horse like Hooray Henry who, in a small field, can sit back and outsprint them.
Race 9: Tyson
8.54pm
“We were looking to sit in with him last week but it didn’t work out. He still ran on pretty well as he always does. He just needs a bit of luck.”
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
8.54pm
“Maurice was happy with her run last week and said she paced strongly through the line. From seven on the gate this week she’ll have to go back but I think she’s better coming from off the pace. She’s a good chance if she can get sucked into it at the right time.”
