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Tommy’s chance to show what he’s got against strong opposition at Redcliffe on Saturday

Trainer Mark Dux expects Tommy Lincoln to be right in the fight despite tackling a strong line-up at Redcliffe on Saturday night.

Dux takes Lincoln Farms’ tough campaigner back to the tight north-east Brisbane circuit after his sterling first-up fourth last week.

“I was over the moon with his run last week,” Dux said.

“He ran a 27.52 last quarter (second fastest) and was four wide all the way round the bend. That made it very hard for him to run them down.”

This week Tommy moves from the second row to be perfectly slotted at two on the gate for driver Angus Garrard.

“I think he’ll probably lead from there and if he gets it a little bit steady at some stage he’ll be hard to beat.”

Dux says he expects pole runner Ohoka Chopper to hand up, just like he did to hotpot Deus Ex last week.

“He may have to do a bit to hold the lead, he could cop a bit of pressure from Will The Wizard and Ideal World, who both have gate speed, but I don’t think they’ll cross him.

“As long he doesn’t get absolutely smashed in the lead there’s no reason why he can’t win.

“He can handle a bit of pressure but too much and it might leave him vulnerable the last bit.”

With Deus Ex buried on the inside of the second row on Saturday night, L L Cool J also on the second line and Speech Is Silver drawn the outside of the arm, Tommy Lincoln would have his chance to show what he’s got.

“It’s a strong field but he’s up to the task.”

Mark Dux brings back Captain Nemo after his all-the-way win at Redcliffe last Saturday night.Mark Dux brings back Captain Nemo after his all-the-way win at Redcliffe last Saturday night.Stablemate Captain Nemo (race 2) steps up in grade on the company he beat last week and Dux finds the race quite tricky to read.

“There looks to be a lot of pressure in the race and I’m not sure where he’s going to be. We may well end up having to go back and poke along.

“Pacific Drums can really run the gate and if they light him up it could really be on for the first furlong. The harder they go, the better it will suit us. I hope they go like lunatics.”

Dux says he’s not too worried where Nemo lands - from three he could put himself on the pace so long as it’s not too hectic

“It will all come down to tempo.”

Where Nemo didn’t want to be was back on a slow speed.

“These horses regularly run time for their last sectionals so if you’re back and wide, especially at Redcliffe, you’re no hope.

“It will just come down to luck in the running.

“I’m really happy with both horses - they’ve done well during the week.”

Tommy Lincoln races at 8.40pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Saturday night.Tommy Lincoln races at 8.40pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Saturday night.Captain Nemo races at 9.10pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Saturday night.Captain Nemo races at 9.10pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Saturday night.

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Nathan Delany

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 Green

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.”

Whales Harness