Up periscope! Captain Nemo set to open all main vents in $30,000 Albion Park feature
By Barry Lichter • 28 October 2021
Captain Nemo is racing so well, trainer Mark Dux will give him a shot at a A$30,000 Group III race at Albion Park in a few weeks.
And in the meantime Dux believes Lincoln Farms’ tough pacer has a royal chance of landing the money in the third race there on Friday night.
Dux could not have been more impressed by Captain Nemo’s bravery last Friday night when he started a solo run three wide at the bell and was there for the remainder of the 1660 metres yet was still beaten only by 2.4 metres in fourth.
“For a fleeting moment on the corner I thought he was a bit of a hope and right on the line he was picking them up again,” Dux said.
“He was beaten only a couple of metres and he ran the fastest last half, 56.12, after being wide all the way. He’s going terrific, he has a lot of guts.”
Captain Nemo recorded the fastest closing sectionals in the race last week, making up 11 metres on the leaders over the last 800 metres despite being solo three wide.
Dux believes Captain Nemo is well up to tackling the $30,000 three-year-old feature on November 13, especially as it is over the longer trip of 2138 metres.
Last week he was really put to the test over 1660 metres, when he barely had time to catch his breath after the opening rush before Dux had to get on his bike round the field.
“I had to get up there before they started to sprint. It’s too hard trying to make ground when you’re giving them too much of a start.
“There’s more chance they’ll settle over 2138 metres. I would imagine we’ll end up parked at some stage on Friday. If they come out slowly, he could be there in the back straight the first time. He’ll be awfully hard to beat if he gets there early without having to do too much.”
Dux says Friday’s field is good and strong - a rating 70 to 85 compared with the previous week’s 63 to 71 - but he’s sure he’ll be competitive.
“It’s just a matter of where we lob. It’s always tricky to assess where you’ll end up but if there’s good speed early in the race so I’ll just let him float out of the gate and play it by ear. It will just come down to getting a bit of luck.”
Meanwhile, Lincoln Farms’ stablemate Tommy Lincoln is having a couple of weeks off after showing Dux last Saturday he had had enough in the meantime when only sixth behind former Lincoln Farms’ flag bearer Northview Hustler.
“Normally Tommy keeps coming but he couldn’t finish off last week. He’s had a lot of hard racing and just needs a wee freshen-up.”
Captain Nemo races at 9.52pm 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.”
