Up periscope! The real Captain Nemo surfaces and he’s primed for Albion Park on Tuesday
By Barry Lichter • 4 September 2023
Captain Nemo’s terrific first-up run suggests he needs only an ounce of luck to score at Albion Park on Tuesday.
Trainer Mark Dux predicted Captain Nemo was ready to run a big race when two weeks ago he resumed from a four-month spell.
But Nemo’s huge effort to go under by just half a neck and a head at odds of 40-to-one exceeded even his expectations.
“I thought he’d race well given how well he was working but he was obviously going to be better for the run.
They’re spread right across the track but Captain Nemo, third from the outside, gets up for third.“He went super and he pulled up well. I couldn’t be more pleased with him.
“He’s got an ordinary draw tomorrow but the main dangers are on the back row with us so I’m sure he’ll acquit himself well.”
Captain Nemo’s dangers - Big Shadow and Miss Mucho - have drawn either side of him in the up-to-75 rating race, a step down on the up-to-90 class the five-year-old contested first-up.
The distance extends to 2138 metres on Tuesday but that can only help Nemo - five of his seven wins in the state have been over the longer trip than last week’s 1660 metres.
“It will come down to luck in the running but the way he raced the other day he’s a realistic winning chance.”
Nemo’s Lincoln Farms-owned stablemate Argyle will trial either this Friday or next week while Tommy Lincoln comes back into work on Tuesday.
Captain Nemo races at 7.47pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
More news in Harness
A Moose in his happy place is a fast Moose but programming hurdles lie ahead
Worse draw puts unlucky Tyson in better spot to win at Auckland on Friday night
Debbie Lincoln’s home stretch burst pointer of things to come; but her draw rankles on Friday
Streets’ donation raises $100,000 for charity and Timmy could be a supermarket special
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: What’s Up The Hill
5.33pm
“He hasn’t raced for more than four months but he’s trotting well in training and has had a couple of workouts. He steps well so if Fergie can keep him away from the others, and he slides on from the 20 metre mark, he could even lead, and that would make him the one to beat. It doesn’t take much for him to lose concentration though.”
Race 4: Lincoln La Moose
6.23pm
“He hasn’t raced for a while but should go well. He finished off his workout really well on a 26.9 quarter for a close fourth behind some good ones (Greased Lightnin, Beetastic and Diamonds Are Forever). He beat himself in his last few runs by racing too keenly but he’s capable enough.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.30pm
“She went to the line under a hold last week. She’s right up there with the best of them but you’re no chance when you get back like that. She hasn’t got a good draw again but it’s a small field and hopefully they won’t walk and only sprint home. Joyride looks the one to beat.”
Race 3: Tyson
6.23pm
“He was definitely beaten by the draw last week. He never got the chance to get out. From five this time he won’t get jammed up and can go forward and put himself in the race.”
Race 6: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.52pm
“Sugar Ray has a tad more speed than Kevin, but he had to sit parked for the last 1200 metres last week. You’d think he’ll get a good trip this time from the inside draw.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.52pm
“Kevin is as honest as they come. He’s a bit more genuine than Sugar Ray. He closed fast from the back last Friday and is better suited over 2200 metres this week.”
