Redcliffe’s tight turns make it hard for horses with second row barrier draws.
100 up for Nemo but there’ll be no cake and candles at Redcliffe on Wednesday night
By Barry Lichter • 1 July 2024
Captain Nemo will be having his 100th race start at Redcliffe on Wednesday night but trainer Mark Dux isn’t expecting anything worth celebrating.
Dux knows Nemo, back from illness, will need plenty of favours to reach the money, racing from a horror draw on the quirky triangular track.
“Redcliffe isn’t his favourite track and this race will be like a pipe-opener for him.
“He got sick after his last run and all his legs blew up so we had to give him a week out. It was some kind of virus but, luckily, only two or three of mine got it.”
Since then Dux has been happy with Nemo’s work but he’s been unable to get a start for the horse, with the annual influx to Brisbane for the Constellations carnival.
“I had him in at Albion Park tomorrow but we got balloted out and, while this track isn’t the best for him, we need a starting point.
“I’m going into the race happy with him - he doesn’t need a trial - but from three on the second row, we’ll drive him cold early and come with one run.”
Dux says the days of tripping to Redcliffe for an easy win are over, with better horses racing on the tight 833 metre triangle, and running much faster times.
“But if things falls his way, he’s not out of it. It’s a nice handy field, but not a great field, and I’m sure he’ll finish off well.”
Captain Nemo has won one of his five starts at Redcliffe, but that was back in March, 2022 when he started a $1.30 favourite from the pole against much easier opposition.
He clocks up 100 on Wednesday with a tidy career record of 13 wins, 21 placings and A$136,226 in prizemoney.
Captain Nemo races at 7.17pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Wednesday night.
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Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Cambridge
Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
4.53pm
“He’s drawn out a bit this week but I don’t think that will worry him too much. The driver’s pretty confident and we’ve got hopple shorteners on him to help him burn off the gate. Zac was pretty happy with his run last time. He only did what he needed to and there’s not much difference in the quality of the field. That one of Andre’s who beat him last time (St John Eight) is quite a nice horse who’d been racing well at Auckland.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Angelic Copy
6.09pm
Update: Scratched
“There is some doubt over whether she will start and we’re taking blood tomorrow morning to see how she is. We eliminated the tie-up problem but after she trained below par this week we took a blood and it showed she had a virus.”
Race 3: Lincoln Linda
6.09pm
“She’ll need a lot of luck from the outside of the second row. She was too fierce again last time, but I’m hoping the likely faster pace on Friday will suit her.”
Race 4: Lincoln Lover
6.40pm
“Lincoln Lover isn’t training as well as Prince Lincoln but he has the inside draw to help him. And he’s a tough little bugger who’s not one to shirk his responsibilities.”
Race 4: Prince Lincoln
6.40pm
“If I had to choose between them I’d say Prince Lincoln is the better chance. He’s training very well and he’d be a chance of getting some of it with luck from his wide gate.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.23pm
“I’m not holding my breath. He’s gone some handy races against the very best but he’s not in career best form. I’m just hoping the 2700 metres might suit him better. I think he might need a decent break.”
