Argyle (6) is collared right on the line by Blackjack Bart, widest.
Argyle deserves a win, Nemo too, as Mark rues how bad daws have undermined the formlines
By Barry Lichter • 3 November 2023
Argyle, cruelly denied a win in the last stride at Albion Park last week, gets another chance on Saturday night, albeit from a second row draw.
Argyle looked to be holding all challengers in the run home last week after doing a mountain of work and it was so close at the finish even commentator Chris Barsby got it wrong, calling the four-year-old in first.
But a flashing late run wide out by Blackjack Bart stole the race from Lincoln Farms’ owners who had to be content with their third runners-up cheque on end.
After being three wide to the death, trainer Mark Dux suspected driver Angus Garrard might have forced a slightly too fast third quarter of 28.04.
“But Angus thought when he pulled the plugs the horse pricked his ears and half waited for them. He still raced well given all the work he did.”
Dux is hoping Garrard can get a good run through from the second line on Saturday night and finish in the money again.
“This is a reasonably decent field - the New South Wales horse Saint Crusader is the likely favourite and the one horse, Rosberg, got home really strongly last week - but he’ll be more than competitive.
“It will come down to the trip. If he gets a good trip he’ll be in the thick end of it but we know he can also do a bit of work. He won’t disgrace himself.”
Captain Nemo is racing well but driver Angus Garrard will need luck. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Tricky draw
Dux was happy to see Captain Nemo draw four in the following race but, frustratingly, just when the horse finally gets an improved alley, he says he won’t have the speed to cross.
“I sound like a broken record but he’s just had no luck with his draws.”
In his last seven starts Nemo has started from two on the second row, five on the second row, one on the second row, seven, one on the second row, seven and four on the second row.
“If he wasn’t going any good you’d be worried but he actually is. But there’s too much speed inside him on Saturday night for him to lead. We’ll play it by ear off the gate. I don’t know where we’ll end up.”
Under normal circumstances Dux says the talented Teddy Disco might have been happy to sit parked, potentially giving Nemo cover.
“But he’s back after long lay-off - he’s had a few issues - and they probably wont want to sit parked first-up.”
Dux blames himself for possibly costing Nemo a placing last week.
“We could have been three fence but I told Angus if we go there, we couldn’t possibly win.
“I said he’s going well enough to win, so stay out and give him his chance. If they go silly early, we’ll be strong at the finish, so don’t be jammed up on the fence.
“But it didn’t work out like that, they came out, went 100 yards and all grabbed up.
“And after they walked through the first half he had no chance, coming wide when they sprinted.”
Dux says Nemo’s formline misrepresents how well he’s racing.
“I’m really happy with him and he’s done well since his last run.”
* Dux reports Tommy Lincoln is doing well in a new preparation and will trial at Albion Park on Monday.
Argyle races at 9.45pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Captain Nemo races at 10.18pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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Street’s emotion-charged night in the winners’ room - sad loss before a record four wins
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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.
