Welcome to band 5 racing: Mark tells how tough it will be for Argyle from bad draw
By Barry Lichter • 29 February 2024
“Very hard race, tough draw. Welcome to band 5 racing.”
Trainer Mark Dux didn’t mince his words when describing the task ahead of Argyle, stepping up a grade in the opening race at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Just seven days after his well deserved win, after enjoying a perfect trail, Argyle lands in a much harder race from one of the worst draws.
“It’s the strongest race he’ll get in for a while, he won’t get any harder,” Dux said.
“Nothing stands out and says it will just win. There are a bunch of chances across the board and even a couple who are dropping back from band 4 racing (Pacifico Dream and Red Right Hand, who haven’t won in their last 10 starts).
“Obviously it’s going to be really tough for him from three on the second row. It’s one of the worst alleys but it’s better than seven, at least he might get in front of a couple.”
Dux said driver Mathew Neilson would have no option than to pop in behind them, play it be ear and hope for some luck.
“There are a lot of unknowns with good gate speed across the front line. The harder they go the better for us.”
Chances are the tempo will be swift with Argyle’s winning driver from last week, Angus Garrard, staying with Bangkok Deejay, a 1:51.5 mile rate winner two starts back, three seconds faster than Argyle. But Dux doesn’t think a 1:52 mile rate for the 1660 metres is beyond Argyle.
“With the right run he could be thereabouts at that speed but he could also come home in better than 55 and run only seventh or eighth.
“I’m sure he’ll race well though, he’s done well this week.”
Meanwhile, Dux reported stablemate Captain Nemo has started fast work again and could be back racing in three weeks.
“He’ll go a bit quicker next week and he won’t take much to come to hand, he had only a week off.”
Argyle races at 8.39pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Debbie lands Golden draw at last in her bid to give Sampson a haircut at the Park
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
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.22pm
“She got home really well on the second night at Manawatu and gets a good draw here. There’s not much exposed form in the race so it’s hard to know how she compares but she’ll win one.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Debbie Lincoln
7.01pm
“I thought she went super again last week with no luck and we’ve got a decent draw for a change so you have to like her chances. She’s been getting in on the corners, so we’ve added a Murphy blind.”
Race 3: Tyson
7.01pm
“I was impressed by the way he hung on to Captain Sampson and Greased Lightnin last week. They’re strong sprinters and it was only a sprint up the straight. He’ll need things to go his way from six.”
Race 3: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.01pm
“It was his first run for a while last week and he probably needed another trial. But we thought we might as well race him to set him up for this week. The outside draw of eight doesn’t help.”
Race 9: Lincoln Lover
9.55pm
“He’s not as sharp as our other two but he’s a game little bugger. He’ll win races for sure.”
Race 9: Prince Lincoln
9.55pm
“I thought he went really well last week. He’d had only one trial and was a bit fresh so it was understandable that he got tired the last bit. That will tighten him up and I’m expecting him to race well. He’s trained on well since.”
Race 9: Johnny Lincoln
9.55pm
“Prince has the wood on Johnny but he’ll still go well. He found the line well last week. It was his first run for a while too, and his first as a gelding.”
