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.
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Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
