Pacifico Dream nabs a game Argyle right on the line at Albion Park last Saturday. Always Smokin is making good ground for third.
Aaargh, pipped on the post, but from the pole Argyle can make a big splash this week
By Barry Lichter • 28 March 2024
Everything sets up beautifully for Argyle at Albion Park on Saturday night and not even Queensland’s big wet is expected to stop him from getting a major slice of the prize money.
Trainer Mark Dux says it’s hardly stopped raining since Argyle went down by a lip last week, collared right on the line, the conditions forcing him to have an easy week’s training.
“A lot of people didn’t work their horses on Tuesday morning but I’m not worried about Argyle as he’s been racing week in and week out.”
Argyle still exercised, Dux able to trot horses on his walker, enough to keep them ticking over.
“The amount of rain we’ve had this year is ridiculous but everyone is in the same boat.”
Argyle showed how hard fit he was last Saturday night when he faced the breeze throughout, as Dux predicted he most probably would, and was in front until the last stride, when the favourite Pacifico Dream nabbed him half a head.
“I thought he had it - he was caught virtually right on the line. It was just unfortunate the favourite got the perfect trip behind us.”
Argyle, only the fifth favourite who was paying $4 for a place on early fixed odds, combined with third-placed Always Smokin for a $50 trifecta, again confidently tipped by Dux as the likely result.
There’s no Pacifico Dream this week, only Always Smokin, and with Argyle landing only his second pole position in 16 months in Queensland, Dux is understandably bullish about his chances.
“Hell go into the race as one of the favourites for sure and he’ll get a nice trip whether we lead or trail and he should finish top three again.
“We’ll come off the gate well and hopefully be good enough to hold Alta Magacian beside us. But even if he crosses us, that’s not a bad scenario, as he’s a decent horse who should get us to the corner.
“I reckon Argyle would be better in the lead - that way you’re out of trouble and you run your own race at your own speed. If you’re trailing and the leader gets tired, it can be a bad spot.
“But I wouldn’t think Alta Magacian would tire - he won when he led a couple of weeks ago and is one of the major chances on Saturday.”
Trailing Alta Magacian would also make it harder for Stormtide to win, as he’d be trapped three deep behind Argyle.
Dux isn’t sure Always Smokin can cross his two main rivals at the start but his consistent formline suggests he’ll again be hard to beat. He closed resolutely last week behind Argyle after having to make his run four wide on the home turn.
Argyle races at 10.09pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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The Lincoln Wave secret is well and truly out now, but who was that mystery underbidder?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.26pm
“She had to sit parked most of the way last time but still went well, and that’s what she does. She’s proven to be a very promising filly and, while it’s hard these days to win without a good trip, it’s an even field and she’s a good chance again.”
Race 2: Lincoln Lou
5.55pm
“He probably cost himself a win last week by going roughly, but he can do that. If he’d got Frisco Bay’s trip he would have won with his closing quarters of 56 and 27 the fastest in the race. He’s just got to do things right to be the one to beat, even from the bad draw, as it’s an easier field.”
Race 5: Frisco Bay
7.30pm
“He’s up in grade a bit but I don’t think there’s anything between them. He’s just got to get the right run and, with his speed, he’ll be right in it.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.59pm
“He’s no superstar but he’s very honest and he’s always a place chance as he’s a tough bugger, he sat parked last week.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.59pm
“With a similar run to last week, he’d be right in it. He clocked 55.8 and 27.7, doing his best work at the finish. He hasn’t gone a bad race since he’s come back.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.59pm
“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything on debut as he’s a green, young horse. But he went very well so he’s obviously lifted his game for the occasion. And he’s trained on even better so the experience has enhanced him. From the inside he has to be a good chance.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.59pm
“She’s definitely a better animal left-handed but she was passable right-handed and should go better this time. She’s got some speed.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.59pm
“She’s a nice filly but is behind the others. I don’t expect her to beat anything but she needs the experience.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.59pm
“There won’t be any shadows for her to jump this time so she has to be a serious chance. She’d been dominant at the workouts and trials before her debut but didn’t get the chance to show her true worth.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.59pm
“Fergie was quite impressed with him on debut and requested the drive again. He finished on strongly up the lane and should go well again. He just needs some luck from the outside of the gate.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 3: Argyle
9.04pm NZ time
“I thought his last two starts have been terrific. There’s no doubt this race is tougher, and he has trickier draw, but I was talking to Angus last night and he was quite upbeat about his chances. He said the horse gave him a good feel when he sat parked two starts back and he picked him too (in the draft). But it won’t be easy. There could be a bit of pressure early. I think he’ll come out and see what unfolds and, if there is too much pressure, he’ll drive him quietly.”
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: Onyx Shard
5.29pm
“You can put a line through her last run at Cambridge when she pulled up showing signs of a respiratory infection. She had a couple of weeks off after that and, while she hasn’t trialled since, she’s been training down nicely. She’s a nice filly and from the good draw should really win.”
Race 3: Lincoln La Moose
6.19pm
“He wasn’t far away in the amateur race at Auckland last time despite jumping a shadow early and galloping. This is a decent drop in class for him and he should be very competitive.
