Argyle in winning action at Cambridge but he is at a tricky place in the ratings now in Queensland. PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.
Argyle over foot abscess but he has another bad draw to overcome on Tuesday evening
By Barry Lichter • 5 June 2023
Argyle had a good excuse for finishing only fifth at his last start but he’s still going to need a lot of luck to win at Albion Park tomorrow evening.
Drawn the outside of the arm in the eighth race, trainer Mark Dux says the horse will have to be driven quietly.
But he still expects Argyle to go a good race given what came to light after his last run on May 18.
“He was really sore the next day, he couldn’t walk.”
By the afternoon it was apparent an abscess was starting to blow out of his foot through a hole in the coronet band.
“He must have felt it during the race to be so sore the next morning. There was no indication of a problem before the race so obviously the run brought it out.”
The finding certainly helped explain why Argyle didn’t finish off his race as Dux was expecting.
“When he came out, and moved up really nicely, I thought he was going to be in the money.”
But when Argyle only battled up the home straight, at first Dux put it down to having his momentum stopped when a horse came out in front of him.
“Mathew (Neilson) just had to grab him for a moment and he couldn’t pick up again.”
The run took on an even better light when his foot problem surfaced.
Dux said it wasn’t like Argyle went badly - he still paced his last mile of the 1660 metres in 1:53.78 - pacing his first half in 56.91 and last half in 56.86.
Whether the horse will be quite as sharp on Tuesday is up for debate considering he missed a few days’ work while his foot recovered.
While you could never say for sure why the horse developed the abscess, Dux said it was interesting that his blacksmith noted he’d come across a number of horses with similar issues since the track surface at Albion Park was top dressed.
It was possible sand found its way into cracks in horses’ feet before it became packed down.
“I’m happy with him now but the run will do him good. We’ll drive him quietly early then play it by ear, depending on how he travels in the running.”
Dux said Argyle was in a tricky place in the ratings.
While he was the highest rated in Tuesday’s field, which was up to rating 70, it meant that under the preferential barrier draw he copped the worst alley.
To get relief in the draw he would have to race in a field of much better pacers, possibly up to rating 90.
Argyle races at 7.10pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
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Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
