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
Wednesday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln Maree
5.11pm
“She’s finding her feet and was a bit unlucky at Taupo. She put in a few rough ones out of the gate - she was like that early in her prep and could just jump out of it - but she’s generally doing things right now. She trained well on Saturday and, with the right run, could run top three.”
Race 3: The Night Fox
6pm
“He won really well on the second day at Hawera and if he races anything like he’s training he’ll be hard to beat. He ran a 27.3 quarter during the week and I was just sitting on him. I’ll tell Craig to go forward, set an even tempo and cut him loose at the 600. I think he’s our best of the night.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.35pm
“Hopefully he’s improved since Taupo when Fergie drove him a treat in front. I actually think he’s better coming off something’s back but I’ll leave it up to Fergie. He’s up a bit in grade but has the right draw to be in it all the way.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.32pm
“He had an easy run last week and he can go a lot faster than that. He should be hard to beat. It won’t matter if he doesn’t find the lead from six, he’ll be just as effective coming from off the pace. He’s a pretty classy horse, classier than most of those against him.”
