Wide alley hoodoo and Queensland’s big wet conspire against Argyle and Nemo
By Barry Lichter • 19 January 2024
Don’t expect Argyle and Captain Nemo to feature at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Trainer Mark Dux says not only will wide draws again minimise their chances but the continuous wet weather has also hampered their preparation.
“I planned to train Argyle twice this week but only did once. We’ve had storms nearly every night and had that much rain, it’s left surface water on the track.
“We’re right on the coast and get all the coastal rain. It’s been horrendous and the humidity today was an absolute shocker.
“You walk and you sweat. The horses are feeling it too. It definitely knocks some of them around.
“I raced one yesterday and had to hose her five times during the day. You’re forever trying to keep them cool.”
Dux says Argyle has so many things against him in the opening race on Saturday night he’ll have to be driven conservatively, unlike his last start, when he powered forward and sat parked throughout for a close third.
“If he’d been racing week in and week out, I wouldn’t have been frightened to put him in the race. I’m happy enough with him but it’s his first for six weeks so he’s not at his best.”
Dux was forced to back off Argyle in mid-December to allow him time to recover from an infection in his foot.
“He’s fine again now but we’ll drive him quietly, go back and hope for a little luck.
“It’s a good, strong field and he doesn’t need to be ripping round them in his first run back. He’ll be relying on how hard they go.”
Captain Nemo again draws the outside of the gate in the eighth race.
“I’ve lost count of how many times he’s drawn badly. The ones inside him have all got gate speed so we’ll drive him quietly early too. He can’t be three and four wide when they’re running a 27 quarter.
“He’ll come out steady and then we’ll play it by ear. I’m confident he’ll race well - he trained well this week - and at some stage I’m sure Angus (Garrard) will try to make his own luck.”
Argyle races at 8.43pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Captain Nemo races at 12.19am NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln LInda
5.14pm
“The fillies she raced against in the Sires’ Stakes Semi were the best around so this is a massive drop in class for her. I imagine Fergie will work his way forward, as she’s best in front, and then she’d become the one to beat.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
5.16pm
“The draw helps as he likes being in front. The raw ability is there but from time to time he’s reluctant to show it. But that last start was a vast improvement.”
Race 1: Colonel Lincoln
5.16pm
“He was definitely in need of the run first-up and will benefit from another. He’s been off the scene for a long time.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.08pm
“He did well second-up, peeling off a 55.1 half. He’s been a slow maturer but I think he’s getting stronger as he gets older - he certainly feels much stronger in his work.”
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.08pm
“The Cambridge race has brought him on and I’m sure he’ll go well again, but he won’t be butchered a week out from the Derby. I don’t want to get carried away but he’s a pretty good horse, the best of our three in the race. He’s a year younger than Suger Ray but has a bit more ability. It’s hard to know where he’ll take us but he has the potential to be a classic colt.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.08pm
“He’s in the zone, he’s feeling really great, and he won’t go badly. But he’ll need luck from the draw.”
Race 9: Spiritual Bliss
9.04pm
“She’s racing better horses now and has done well to cop getting parked in some hard-run races. Leading is her go and she’ll get her chance from the inside draw.”
Race 10: Rivergirl Bella
9.36pm
“She has got a bit of speed but she can’t carry it very far. But if she gets the right trip, and gets out at the right time, not too soon, she’s always a chance.”
Race 10: Jessie Lincoln
9.36pm
“Harry blamed himself for the horse breaking at the start at Cambridge - he said he asked her to go a bit too quickly off the gate. She shouldn’t do it again. She’ll hold her own here, I’m sure.”
Race 10: Marylynes Boy
9.36pm
“He’s been training well but he’s only a little colt having his first start and from the second row I think Nathan will be happy to just see him get around safely.”
