Argyle up to testing them even from a wide alley at Albion Park on Saturday night

Trainer Mark Dux knows Argyle will have to do some work from his wide draw but says the horse is up to the task at Albion Park on Saturday night.

The second highest rated horse in the opening race, Argyle has an attractive form line, having won and finished second in his last three starts.

And, despite drawing one from the outside, Dux believes the horse can be right there at the finish, regardless of the trip he gets.

“I’m real happy with him. He’s done well since his last race and I’m sure he’ll race well.

“If we’d drawn inside them I’d have said he was a winner but you wouldn’t want your last (dollar) on him from that draw. “

Dux doubts driver Angus Garrard can cross Daniel Boom, the horse who gave him one-one cover last time, and says Bonnie’s Cam, in five, has a lot of gate speed too.

“The inside horses have an advantage at the 2138 metre start too. You can hold a lot easier than at the mile because you’re in a straight line for longer and nearly at top speed.

“But with a bit of luck he won’t be too far off them. I could see him sitting parked and still racing really well.

“We won’t go out with a set plan. If he has to do a bit of work I think he’s up to testing them.”

Concession driver Angus Garrard, 20, who notched win No. 500 behind Captain Nemo in December, 2022, has now driven 638 winners.Formline hides terrific runs

Dux also quietly fancies the chances of Lincoln Farms’ other runner Captain Nemo getting some money, despite his drawing two on the second row in the sixth race.

With a formline of 653P8, that might be hard to understand but Dux says the horse is going much better than that might suggest.

“His recent runs have been terrific and even though he ran only eighth last time I was real happy with the run.

“He came home in 55.05, with his last two quarters in 27.57 and 27.47 - and he was off the track doing that.

The official stats showed Captain Nemo also covered an extra 36 metres in the race, more than anything else in the race.

“And he kept hitting the line, even though a few of the others got away from him when nothing carried him into the race.”

Dux tips Lord Zarias as the one to beat from the pole.

Formerly trained by Zachary Butcher at Lincoln Farms, when named plain Zarias, the rating 98 horse will enjoy a huge drop in grade, and Dux suspects claiming driver Paige Bevan may try to lead.

“Awaywego will go forward again - I can’t see him going back - and I think the one will try and hold which will put a bit of pressure into the race and help us.

“The harder they go, the better for us.”

Dux says it’s been harder for Captain Nemo to secure the right spots in the running since they made the decision to stop driving him hard all the time.

“It’s getting harder to drive him tough. But while we’ve been more conservative with him, he’s been racing really well.

“From the alley he won’t be too far off, I suspect midfield at the worst. And if they go the first half solid it will suit us. I think both of ours could be right here.”

Argyle races at 8.47pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.Captain Nemo races at 11.40pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.