Argyle, top, is pipped by the late swooper Shell Shock last week.
Unlucky Argyle deserves to be rewarded at Albion Park tonight - just no bad luck please
By Barry Lichter • 24 February 2024
Argyle is racing so well not even an inside second row draw should keep him out of the finish at Albion Park on Saturday night, says trainer Mark Dux.
“It wouldn’t have mattered where he drew this week, he’s in the money, barring bad luck. He’s going terrific and he gets in so well at the ratings.”
Argyle is the top rater in the 1660 metre sprint on R75, only Mister Reactor (R74) close to him, with the next highest rated horse Rocknpenny on R63.
And it’s not as if Argyle has slipped in the pecking order. While his fromline of 82602 isn’t that inspiring, Dux says it would be hard to point to any recent race where he has not performed well.
“We’re going as well as anything in the race and I’m very happy with him.”
Unlucky not to have won last week, when pipped half a neck, Argyle was just held up a little waiting for the sprint lane, which allowed his main danger, fellow Woodlands Stud graduate Shell Shock, to cash in on his momentum out wide.
“We took a while to wind up and he also wanted to get up the track a bit which didn’t help.”
Argyle lost his advantage of the pole soon after the start when, after making a swift start, he was outsped to the first turn by Alta Equus, ending up in the trail.
Instead of being able to roll along at a good clip, Argyle then was at the mercy of the leader’s tempo, the sedate last half of 56.7 leaving him susceptible to a swooper like Shell Shock.
“From the trail you’re dictated to by how strong the leader gets you to the corner.”
Dux says the form for Saturday was franked when Alta Equus, third last week, won at Albion Park last night.
While Argyle follows out a good beginner in Mighty George tonight, Dux sees Bonnies Cam, in two, crossing him.
“If the two wants to lead it will. That would put us three fence and it then would come down to what the others out wide want to do. Leithen Burn might try to cross from five.
“Three back I’m happy. Even four back doesn’t put him out of the race by any stretch. We just don’t want any bad luck.”
Top young gun driver Angus Garrard, away driving in Sydney last week, is back on board tonight.
Argyle races at 11.02pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
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Dreams of Eric to keep the Harness 5000 dream alive for Nate on Thursday night
Kevin Kline the kind of horse everybody would love to own - he just keeps running
Debt-ridden ATC on back foot again after buyer pulls out of $70m sale of Franklin Park
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.39pm
“Harry did exactly what I wanted last week - to keep him covered up and to hit the line well - and he was happy with the run. This time I’ll tell him to cut loose and hopefully he’ll be in front. He’s training really well so is a definite each-way chance and potential winner.”
Race 7: Im Not The Maid
7.56pm
“She looks well and healthy but we’re not expecting anything wonderful from her in her first start since July.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.42pm
“She’s stronger this time in so I don’t think she’ll break again, like in her first two starts. She’ll go as good as she can.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.42pm
“Last time in I’d have said she was the best of our fillies but I’m not so sure now. All three are on a par. She tries hard and does everything right.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.42pm
“She was nowhere near ready when I lined her up earlier in the year. It was only to get the races off the ground. She’s honest but I don’t have high expectations.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.39pm
“He needs to be in the open but from that draw I’m not holding my breath he’ll get a good trip.”
