
Argyle is second last but only 13 metres from the winner and he’s powering to the line.
Argyle top three chance from improved draw on Saturday night - he’s running super splits
Beating only one home might look bad on paper but Argyle actually ran so well at his last start trainer Mark Dux is tipping him as a top three chance at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Dux gave Argyle no chance from his outside second row draw last week - and going out at odds of $50 to one he finished second last.
But when driver Mathew Neilson returned afterwards he reported the horse paced a terrific race.
“Mathew said it was one of his best runs and when you look at the sectionals he ran it’s hard to believe he finished out the back.”
Argyle was clocked over his last 800 metres in 54.45, half a second faster than winner OK Boomer, ripping home from the 400 in 26.18, despite covering 17 metres more than the winner.
His closing splits were the second fastest in the race, only Scotch En Ice faster at 54.39 - and he ran last!
“That’s the reality of racing when they’re running such fast times up front.
“And it wasn’t as if Argyle was tippy-toeing at the finish, he was strong through the line.”
Dux says Saturday night’s race is not quite as strong as last week’s opposition while still a good, band 5 line-up.
“But he’s up to it and the way he’s going he won’t be too far off them and with an ounce of luck he can finish top three.
“It will come down go what happens early. From three, we’ll get off the gate and try and put him right there.
“The two horse (Nurburgring) will try to cross the one (Windy Hill Wally) and he normally hands.
“It wouldn’t worry me if he sat in the running line outside the leader and hopefully they’ll go nice and steady.
“If the lead time is too fast we might struggle. But it’s not end of the world if we don’t get cover, he’s good sitting quietly.”
Dux can see in-form Bangkok Deejay being the one to beat again after his half head second to OK Boomer last week.
“He put himself up outside the leader last time and the early fractions were only steady. They only sprinted a half.”
Argyle races at 8.39pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Cloud over Angelic Copy again - bug threatens to force her out on Friday night at Auckland
Phone home - ET trotter Whats Up The Hill blasts off with narrow Escape at Auckland
Ray needs good results from blood test and gear change to repel southern fillies’ charge
Fergie takes the initiative and Onyx Shard delivers again for the galloping buddies
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
What’s Up The Hill.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 3: Onyx Shard
5.09pm
“She’s working really well and, from the good draw, hopefully she can run a drum. The field’s not that much harder than the one she beat last time at Manawatu (when parked for the last lap).”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
5.09pm
“We’re very happy with him - he’s come back a better horse. He went well at Auckland last start and is working well. We’ll be looking to go forward from the gate and hopefully get a gun run through behind Onyx Shard. On ability, he’s the better chance of the two.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.39pm
“He stepped like a bullet in his first go from a stand here in March. I thought he’d do the same on the second day but he galloped. We’ve got an overcheck on and hopple shorteners on Tuesday so he should make a good beginning. If he can step and lead, then maybe take a trail, he should be hard to beat. He likes it down there where the track is quite soft.”