Argyle is second last but only 13 metres from the winner and he’s powering to the line.
Argyle top three chance from improved draw on Saturday night - he’s running super splits
By Barry Lichter • 8 March 2024
Beating only one home might look bad on paper but Argyle actually ran so well at his last start trainer Mark Dux is tipping him as a top three chance at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Dux gave Argyle no chance from his outside second row draw last week - and going out at odds of $50 to one he finished second last.
But when driver Mathew Neilson returned afterwards he reported the horse paced a terrific race.
“Mathew said it was one of his best runs and when you look at the sectionals he ran it’s hard to believe he finished out the back.”
Argyle was clocked over his last 800 metres in 54.45, half a second faster than winner OK Boomer, ripping home from the 400 in 26.18, despite covering 17 metres more than the winner.
His closing splits were the second fastest in the race, only Scotch En Ice faster at 54.39 - and he ran last!
“That’s the reality of racing when they’re running such fast times up front.
“And it wasn’t as if Argyle was tippy-toeing at the finish, he was strong through the line.”
Dux says Saturday night’s race is not quite as strong as last week’s opposition while still a good, band 5 line-up.
“But he’s up to it and the way he’s going he won’t be too far off them and with an ounce of luck he can finish top three.
“It will come down go what happens early. From three, we’ll get off the gate and try and put him right there.
“The two horse (Nurburgring) will try to cross the one (Windy Hill Wally) and he normally hands.
“It wouldn’t worry me if he sat in the running line outside the leader and hopefully they’ll go nice and steady.
“If the lead time is too fast we might struggle. But it’s not end of the world if we don’t get cover, he’s good sitting quietly.”
Dux can see in-form Bangkok Deejay being the one to beat again after his half head second to OK Boomer last week.
“He put himself up outside the leader last time and the early fractions were only steady. They only sprinted a half.”
Argyle races at 8.39pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
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34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
