Young gun Garrard finally gets a good draw with unlucky Captain Nemo on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 26 January 2024
Captain Nemo, who looked a certainty beaten in his last start, finally lands a good draw at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Young gun driver Angus Garrard’s first words to trainer Mark Dux on bringing Captain Nemo back last Saturday night were that the horse should have won, and won easily.
Taken back from five on the gate, Nemo ended up four deep on the markers and was full of running when Garrard eased him into the running line just before the home turn.
But there was no way through for Garrard up the entire home straight and for the last 100 metres he had the horse under a hold, hard on the backs of the first two home.
Angus Garrard drove his 700th winner at Redcliffe on Thursday night. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Garrard, 20, who notched his 500th winner on Captain Nemo in December, 2022 and on Thursday reined home win No. 700, has a much kinder draw of two this week from where Dux expects him to either lead or, more likely trail.
“We should cross the one (Blackjack Bart) and whether we hold will depend on how fast Parama comes out. He won well the other day.”
Dux believes Nemo is in the top three chances but rates Red Right Hand the one to beat.
“He’s been flying and, like us, hasn’t had much luck. And he’s down in grade. If we get behind one of those two we’ll get a nice trip.
“We could even hold the lead if they don’t charge out. At least we have a couple of options.”
Dux says Captain Nemo has done well since his race last week and he believes he has most of the others covered over the 2138 metres in what is a good band 5 event.
Dux says he’ll be surprised if Argyle doesn’t go well too in the fifth race, despite drawing three on the second row.
Driven conservatively last week in his first run for six weeks, when well short of a run, Argyle finished only eighth but still clocked excellent figures.
His sectionals of 30.28, 30.94, 27.54 and 27.56 nearly matched those of the winner Catseye Beach (30.45, 30.94, 27.71 and 27.23), his last half of 55.1 little inferior to the winner’s 54.94.
Given Catseye Beach was in front and on the markers, Argyle’s effort was solid as he covered 21 metres more in the running.
“He pulled up well and I think he’s a good hope. The alley’s not so nice but if we have to use him at some stage to put him in the race, we probably will.
“If he’d drawn well you’d think he was a winner but I still think he’ll finish thereabouts and is a top three chance. The harder they go, the better for us, and I can see Pete McMullen launching on Jaccka Wally.”
Captain Nemo races at 9.45pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Argyle races at 10.50pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
