Welcome to band 5 racing: Mark tells how tough it will be for Argyle from bad draw
By Barry Lichter • 29 February 2024
“Very hard race, tough draw. Welcome to band 5 racing.”
Trainer Mark Dux didn’t mince his words when describing the task ahead of Argyle, stepping up a grade in the opening race at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Just seven days after his well deserved win, after enjoying a perfect trail, Argyle lands in a much harder race from one of the worst draws.
“It’s the strongest race he’ll get in for a while, he won’t get any harder,” Dux said.
“Nothing stands out and says it will just win. There are a bunch of chances across the board and even a couple who are dropping back from band 4 racing (Pacifico Dream and Red Right Hand, who haven’t won in their last 10 starts).
“Obviously it’s going to be really tough for him from three on the second row. It’s one of the worst alleys but it’s better than seven, at least he might get in front of a couple.”
Dux said driver Mathew Neilson would have no option than to pop in behind them, play it be ear and hope for some luck.
“There are a lot of unknowns with good gate speed across the front line. The harder they go the better for us.”
Chances are the tempo will be swift with Argyle’s winning driver from last week, Angus Garrard, staying with Bangkok Deejay, a 1:51.5 mile rate winner two starts back, three seconds faster than Argyle. But Dux doesn’t think a 1:52 mile rate for the 1660 metres is beyond Argyle.
“With the right run he could be thereabouts at that speed but he could also come home in better than 55 and run only seventh or eighth.
“I’m sure he’ll race well though, he’s done well this week.”
Meanwhile, Dux reported stablemate Captain Nemo has started fast work again and could be back racing in three weeks.
“He’ll go a bit quicker next week and he won’t take much to come to hand, he had only a week off.”
Argyle races at 8.39pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Shunt and tangled tail hamper our Johnny - why he can win Friday’s Lincoln Farms Pace
Ray: Put the line through Johnny’s last run - it was a walk-fest and he copped it late
Return to left-handed racing will help Lincoln La Moose at Cambridge on Thursday night
Here’s Johnny … Ray introduces weanling sale graduate as deserved favourite on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Tuesday twlight at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.19pm
“She tries hard but others look better here and she’ll need a lot of luck from the wide draw.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Tyson
5.35pm
“He’s a strong horse and I think he’ll improve with that fresh-up run. He’s trained on well and Zac is staying with him and that’s always a good sign. He’s drawn well so he should be handy. You have to rate him a chance.”
Race 3: Johnny LIncoln
6.36pm
“I thought he did very well to recover from that early gallop last week. His tail also became entangled in the hopple carrier which made him over-race. He got in a bit on the corners too but we’ll put a little burr on his neck this week to stop that. He looks to be a nice horse and I’m sure he’ll go well again.”
Race 9: The Rascal
9.24pm
“You couldn’t fault his first-up effort at Cambridge, I thought it was the run of the race. Fergy got pushed out at the 950 but that’s because he was nursing him as he’s a bit green. Previously he was on our transfer list but he’s steadily improved in the last three or four weeks and is really coming to it now.”
