Gareth Paddison with Captain Nemo, left, and Ryan Fox with Franco Nandor, both chances at Albion Park tonight.
Smile for the birdie - no gimee but top golfers’ gift horses to the fore in Brisbane tonight
By Barry Lichter • 3 September 2021
Two of New Zealand’s best golfers will have their eyes on the Brisbane trots tonight when horses they were gifted shares in do battle at Albion Park.
When Ryan Fox and Gareth Paddison ran the quinella in the Wairakei Invitational last year they unexpectedly were given shares in Franco Nandor and Captain Nemo by Lincoln Farms’ boss and tournament sponsor John Street.
While the three-year-olds did not reach expectations here they eventually found their way to Queensland where their form lines have vastly improved.
Trainer Mark Dux takes Paddison’s Captain Nemo to the Creek tonight confident he’s the one to beat.
Captain Nemo scores three starts back after showing incredible grit three wide in the running. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Drawn four in the third race, Dux says the horse is in with a great chance even though he can’t predict where he’ll end up in the running.
Though drawn inside Keayang Marven, the horse who collared him right on the line last week, Captain Nemo could well end up parked out again.
“He should be starting to get respect now but that doesn’t mean a lot here though,” says Dux. “If drivers can lead, they always seem to want to hold everyone else out.
“If Nemo had a bit more gate speed he’d be terrific. He just lacks that bit of high speed and that’s what’s stopping him from being a better horse.
“But he’ll be rolling forward at some stage. He’s got to be up somewhere handy.”
Captain Nemo has redefined tough in his last three starts, earning cheques despite twice being trapped three wide without cover, then last time three wide to the death at the bell.
“He had them beaten everywhere but on the line last time,” says Dux.
“I think barring bad luck he can win this time. I’m really happy with him.”
Franco Nandor … learning to take a trail rather than leading and stopping. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Two races later Franco Nandor is drawn to get a sweet trip for Fox and friends from the pole, trainer-driver Al Barnes intent on educating him to run to the line.
“He’s got plenty of ability but I want to get him into the habit of chasing, not leading and stopping. Driving him in the trail will hopefully change his attitude.”
Barnes tried the tactics for the first time last week, leading out from the pole before taking a sit behind Skippys Delight, a rival again tonight.
“He was a little keen early, until he got into the back straight, then he came off the bit at the 500. But he seemed to try a bit harder and ran all the way to the line.”
Franco Nandor fought on for third, six metres behind Majorca, who has won all four starts in Queensland since arriving from New Zealand, with Skippys Delight second, in a very slick mile rate of 1:53.6, many seconds faster than Franco Nandor has experienced before.
“Trailing seemed to pay dividends and hopefully he can do it again this week and follow the same horse.
“It’s a similar quality field so they should run time again. I don’t think he can win but he can run second or third.”
Captain Nemo races at 9.50pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.
Franco Nandor races at 10.50pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.
More news in Harness
Kevvie’s win excellent but Debbie’s Oaks effort at 100-to-one has Ray even more excited
Better draw and tighter hopples but Debbie Lincoln’s still paying 100-to-one in the Oaks
Dreams Of Eric sold but Harness 5000 tilt at Ashburton still on for Nate and Cody
Draw against Jessie Lincoln on debut but she’s the best of the four fillies in Lincoln green
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 3: Jessie Lincoln
6.39pm
“She was very good first-up - Harry said she was still coming at the line - and I’m sure she’ll go pretty well again. The way she trains over 2400 metres, you’d think the extra 500 metres will help.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.39pm
“I was quite happy with her last run at Cambridge, she’s improved a lot since Auckland. It’s a shame she’s got a bad draw this week but if she can hit the line well again, I’ll be happy.”
Race 5: Dreams Of Eric
7.34pm
“I think he’ll be a good chance because he continues to train very well. I’ll leave it up to Harry how he drives him this week but you’d think he’d lead again.”
Nathan’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Tyson
6.52pm
“He had to do a bit much work last time - from a niggly draw he went round and sat parked. He’s drawn three on Friday, which is perfect, as he can just mooch up there. He keeps going good races in stronger fields and needs two more starts and some more points to qualify for the Golden Gait.”
Race 8: Kevin Kline
9.24pm
“He’s up against the better ones now, like Cold Chisel, but he keeps doing a good job. He’s a tough horse who keeps improving and he’s training really well. I thought he’d be a chance.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Addington
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“I was pretty pleased with the way she went last time. It was unfortunate she had to cop such a tough trip but she showed she is competitive - not many in the race could have done what she did. Maurice said if he’d pushed her out, she would have finished a bit closer. I can’t fault her. She recovered quickly and looks great. She’s no 100-to-one shot. All she needs is a bit of luck.”
