Two consistent players but Nemo looks to have a better hand than Tommy this week
By Barry Lichter • 21 October 2021
Trainer Mark Dux can find no reason why consistent campaigners Captain Nemo and Tommy Lincoln won’t run good races again at Albion Park in Brisbane this weekend.
On paper, Captain Nemo looks the better chance in the eighth race on Friday, where he eases down a grade, compared with Tommy Lincoln who meets the top free-for-allers on Saturday night, the jury still out on whether his form is starting to taper off after a long campaign.
Dux was keen to see how Captain Nemo handled a rise in class last Friday, taking on rating 70 to 85 runners after a recent hat-trick, and he wasn’t disappointed when the horse fought bravely for third after sitting parked for the last mile.
A late change in distance, forced by a wet patch of ground near the 1660 metre dispatch point, saw the race increased to 2138 metres, a trip which Dux believed made Captain Nemo even more competitive.
“That suited him better and the way the race was run I was more than happy. He did all the work and I’m sure he could have turned the tables if he’d got more luck.
“The two who beat him (who led and trailed), are no slouches - Kiwis Are Flying is a pretty decent horse, he’s won six of his seven starts since arriving in Brisbane.”
On Friday Captain Nemo is the highest rated in an easier rating 63 to 71 line-up and, while badly drawn three on the second line, Dux says he’ll be hard to beat.
“We can go round them, sit there quietly, and let them run what they want. And when you want him, he’s always there.”
Tommy Lincoln … “He’s just such a professional racehorse and an earner.” Niggly draw for Tommy
Tommy Lincoln, on the other hand, moves up from a band two and three race last Saturday to the top grade and has a niggly five draw to contend with.
“We definitely have more things against us this week - a harder field and tougher draw. I don’t think he can cross them so I’ll have to come out steadier. But he races better if you don’t burn him extra hard at the start.”
Dux admitted last week he was wondering if Tommy was starting to feel the effects of a long campaign - in 15 starts since June 22, when he has earned just over A$50,000, he has had few easy runs, running near track records and often sitting parked.
But driver Angus Garrard had nothing bad to say about the horse when he returned after his brave third, when he was snookered three deep on the markers and finished on to miss second by only a nose.
“Angus said he hit the line really hard and you’ve got to listen to your driver. But the jury is still out for mine. I watched the replay and thought he should have run second.
“But he did get home in 26.83 (only winner Mach Da Vinci was faster at 26.7) so you couldn’t say he was bad and needed a break.
“And he’s felt good at home since so I have nothing negative to say about him.
“He’s just such a professional racehorse and an earner. He gives 100% every time, does it tough, and still hits the line.”
That said, Dux will gauge for himself how the horse feels when he gets back into the cart this week.
“If I’m not happy on Saturday, I’ll probably give him a break.”
Captain Nemo races at 7.18pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.
Tommy Lincoln races at 10.10pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Argyle out of action, injured, and barrier draw will take Nemo out of play too on Saturday
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.”
