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.
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Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
