Captain Nemo … looks a class above his rivals on Thursday night. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
With a better draw, Captain Nemo’s set to make amends at Cambridge on Thursday
By Barry Lichter • 13 January 2021
The barrier draw beat Captain Nemo last week at Cambridge but he looks very hard to beat there on Thursday night from a better alley.
Lincoln Farms’ talented three-year-old is sure to touch a short price in the last race of the night when he leaves from five, a far more competitive position than the outside of the arm.
Captain Nemo didn’t help himself by scoring up greenly last week and was forced to make a mid-race move three wide from the back to park 850 metres from home.
He fought bravely in the run home, holding off two challengers for second, but was no match for Dixie Reign, five lengths behind at the line.
Trainer Ray Green says Captain Nemo clearly stands out on Thursday in a lowly rating 40 to 47 race.
“He’s in with average horses and on paper he looks the one to beat. He’s getting fitter and fitter with each run and it’s not a stellar bunch of animals he’s up against.
“He’s a serious winning chance.”
While Captain Nemo has won only one race, at Cambridge, he has regularly taken on the best age group horses in the country and Green believes he will develop into a more than useful type for part-owner and noted golfer Gareth Paddison.
Brodie Lindenny … finally coming to it.Brodie Lindenny has taken much longer than Captain Nemo to develop but makes an overdue debut in the second race.
Green says the Bettor’s Delight three-year-old has taken time to come to it but had finally “put his hand up to say ‘I’m ready’. “He’s very green but he’s got to start somewhere and he’s improving all the time.
“And if he goes as well as he did at the workouts last week he can be in the money.”
Brodie Lindenny, one-one early, went to the lead when left parked and despite racing a little greenly at times put up a good fight when challenged hard 500 meres out by Commander Cathy. Beaten a neck, but well covered, he ran his last 800 metres in 58.7, with the 2050 metres run at a mile rate of 2:03.2.
Green believes Brodie Lindenny, drawn the pole on Thursday, has enough gate speed to hold his own at the start.
“I don’t know how bad the others are but he’s capable of running a place in that field.”
More news in Harness
Big push for The Big Lebowski who looks beautifully placed at Addington on Friday
How the boy who was told he’d never be any good as a trainer made the exclusive 500 club
Final tune-up for Ray’s southern team at Alexandra Park on Friday night
Better set-up at Auckland on Friday night for Sugar Ray to produce that knockout punch
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Tuesday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
4.50pm
“Forget he went round at Auckland where the opposition was much too tough for him. He’s a regular placegetter in the amateur races at Cambridge and look for him late.”
Race 7: Im Not The Maid
7.07pm
“She ran another good race for third here last time but enjoyed a perfect trip in the trail. From the outside of the gate this will be a bit tougher for her but she’s up to running a hole.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Addington
Race 2: Frisco Bay
5.19pm
“He wouldn’t have been a chance in the $100,000 race but these ones are more like him. The draw’s a bit niggly but he’s racing well and I’m looking forward to seeing where he sits.”
Race 10: Lincoln Lou
9.28pm
“It’s a strong line-up but the good draw of four will help. I won’t be telling Sam (Thornley) what to do but the horse has big speed if he wants to use it. ”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.28pm
“He’s at the mercy of the ones drawn in front of him. Hopefully Bar Louie doesn’t stand on his head at the start. I’d rather have been on the outside to be honest but if Ricky (May) can get a good trip, he’ll be right there.”
Race 12: The Big Lebowski
10.23pm
“He certainly looks good in this field which is a dramatic drop in class. It’s a pity he didn’t draw on the gate - the second row draw could be awkward - but he does look to stand over them. I just hope he doesn’t stuff it up.”
