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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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln LInda
5.14pm
“The fillies she raced against in the Sires’ Stakes Semi were the best around so this is a massive drop in class for her. I imagine Fergie will work his way forward, as she’s best in front, and then she’d become the one to beat.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
5.16pm
“The draw helps as he likes being in front. The raw ability is there but from time to time he’s reluctant to show it. But that last start was a vast improvement.”
Race 1: Colonel Lincoln
5.16pm
“He was definitely in need of the run first-up and will benefit from another. He’s been off the scene for a long time.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.08pm
“He did well second-up, peeling off a 55.1 half. He’s been a slow maturer but I think he’s getting stronger as he gets older - he certainly feels much stronger in his work.”
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.08pm
“The Cambridge race has brought him on and I’m sure he’ll go well again, but he won’t be butchered a week out from the Derby. I don’t want to get carried away but he’s a pretty good horse, the best of our three in the race. He’s a year younger than Suger Ray but has a bit more ability. It’s hard to know where he’ll take us but he has the potential to be a classic colt.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.08pm
“He’s in the zone, he’s feeling really great, and he won’t go badly. But he’ll need luck from the draw.”
Race 9: Spiritual Bliss
9.04pm
“She’s racing better horses now and has done well to cop getting parked in some hard-run races. Leading is her go and she’ll get her chance from the inside draw.”
Race 10: Rivergirl Bella
9.36pm
“She has got a bit of speed but she can’t carry it very far. But if she gets the right trip, and gets out at the right time, not too soon, she’s always a chance.”
Race 10: Jessie Lincoln
9.36pm
“Harry blamed himself for the horse breaking at the start at Cambridge - he said he asked her to go a bit too quickly off the gate. She shouldn’t do it again. She’ll hold her own here, I’m sure.”
Race 10: Marylynes Boy
9.36pm
“He’s been training well but he’s only a little colt having his first start and from the second row I think Nathan will be happy to just see him get around safely.”
