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
By Barry Lichter • 8 March 2024
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.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Tuesday at Auckland
Race 2: Colonel Lincoln
3.39pm
“He’s a beautiful horse, and a quality mover, who’s finally demonstrating his ability. He’s done a lot of work and has had a good, solid build-up so he’ll cop a bit of racing now and I don’t see why he won’t be in it again.”
Race 2: Frisco Bay
3.39pm
“If you put him in front or in the breeze he over-races. He needs a run where he can relax in behind - every time he’s got a two-hole trip he’s won. He’s a bit one-dimensional in that respect but he’s got a lot of speed and, if he’d drawn better, I’d have labelled him.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lou
4.04pm
“On paper, he should be favourite. You can’t fault that last run in the Golden Gait and if he repeats that he’s the one to beat. He seems to be back to where we had him before. He’s been incredibly unlucky in a lot of his races. We don’t need good luck, we’re just looking for no bad luck.”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
4.04pm
“I can’t see him beating our other two. I don’t think we’ll see the best of him until well into his three-year-old year. He’s a big, rangy, slow developing horse. We’ll race him on Tuesday then give him a bit of a break.”
Race 3: Debbie Lincoln
4.04pm
“I know this is a step-up in grade, and she’s drawn the outside, but I’ve got a feeling she could be up to it. Her driver, Maurice McKendry, is very enthusiastic about her and he’s no fool. He’s been happy every time he’s sat behind her. She keeps getting better and potentially could be a high class three-year-old filly. I’m quite excited about her.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
4.30pm
“He won’t burn off any quick beginners but he showed he could hold his own from the inside when he won two starts back. He’s just got to do it without doing anything tricky. He can pace roughly, he’s not the complete package yet, but when the penny drops he’ll be a serious horse.”
Race 9: The Big Lebowski
7.17pm
“I wasn’t disappointed with his last run. It’s hard to win those races from long back marks at Cambridge - Copy That had to go a New Zealand record to do it. He’s as good as he can be at the moment but these are the best horses in commission and we’ll be grateful for what we can get.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 3: Onyx Shard
6.38pm
Update: Scratched
“She can get some of it. She has a good draw so should get a good trip. She’s training on well.”
Race 4: Commander Lincoln
7.09pm
“The draw doesn’t matter with him as he’s not one to leave the gate. I thought he went super last time. He got home really well and was unlucky not to run second or even win.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.33pm
“Forget that last run. He half choked when Zac tried to restrain him and started pulling. He’s got a better draw this time, should hop straight into the trail, and hopefully get home as well as when he won the time before.”
