Argyle’s foot looking better but Mark will be happy to see him just hit the line on Friday
By Barry Lichter • 21 September 2023
Don’t expect any fireworks from Argyle when he resumes from a long spell at Albion Park in Brisbane on Friday evening, says trainer Mark Dux.
Lincoln Farms’ four-year-old hasn’t raced for three and a half months after an abscess destroyed much of the wall of his foot.
And, while he performed to the satisfaction of Dux in a trial last Friday, Argyle looked well short of race fitness.
“He trialled well enough but got a bit tired in the last 100 metres, which was only to be expected,” Dux said.
Argyle … last raced on June 6.The winner of the heat, former Kiwi Sirius, now called So Sirius and a newcomer to Queensland, motored the last 800 metres of the 1660 heat in 55.5 and 400 in 26.5, leaving Argyle out of breath 15 metres away in third.
“He’s done well since the trial but it’s not an easy race that he’s in and, from his second row draw, we’ll drive him cold, and let him hit the line.”
With regular pilot Angus Garrard committed to his father Daren’s horse, Back To Betoota, Dux has engaged Grant Dixon for Argyle.
“He’ll race well but he’ll be out the back and, because they go so fast here now, unless you get a decent trip you can’t catch them.
“If they’re running 55 on the fence up front you can’t catch them from back in the field. That’s why you see so many lead, trail, three fence finishes these days.”
Dux said while Argyle’s foot has grown down a lot during his break, it still looked “a bit average.”
Lincoln Farms’ stablemate Captain Nemo didn’t get a start on Friday so will be nominated for Tuesday’s meeting.
Argyle races at 8.18pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday evening.
More news in Harness
Leo Lincoln close to a win: Watch how he copped it early last time at Manawatu
Consisent little Lincoln Lou sold to Western Australia to join fellow ex-Kiwis
Kevin Kline caps record day for Casey and loyal Lincoln Farms’ team - and can repeat
It’s bon voyage Frisky as Ray celebrates another rags to riches sale success
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.44pm
“Fergie’s drive on Sunday was perfect, you couldn’t ask for better, and he said the horse was doing his best work in the last 50 metres. Maybe with another 100 metres he might have got there. His gate speed is only OK so I can see him getting crossed here.”
Race 5: Kevin Kline
6.19pm
“Fergie said he did it easily on the first day, and the horse only did what he had to. He’s been racing much nicer horses at Auckland so it was good to get the win, hopefully it will boost his confidence. I’ll leave the tactics up to Fergie but I imagine he’ll probably do the same thing again, loop the field and outstay them.”
Race 6: Onyx Shard
6.54pm
“I was hoping she’d drop down a grade. She’s had some tough trips recently, having to do a lot of work, and it didn’t help being three wide for the last lap on the first day. Also they only walked and sprinted home. She could be better coming with one run at them.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Lover
5.33pm
“He had no chance last start when trapped three wide all the way. That won’t happen this time from the inside draw so that gives him a chance to get some of it.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.33pm
“He’s shown no gate speed so the wide draw doesn’t matter. He’s coming along all right but will need lots of luck against the hot pots.”
Race 5: Debbie Lincoln
6.54pm
“She seems to have overcome her tying-up issue, her bloods are good, and she’s training well again. She could possibly be underdone and the seven draw makes it very hard.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lou
7.20pm
Scratched. Sold to Western Australia.
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: What’s Up The Hill
3.16pm
“He’s a work in progress. He just needs more practice - you don’t learn much at the trials with only two or three horses. If he trots the whole way, he should be in the money.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
4.38pm
“We drove her more quietly last time and she finished very well. She got sucked along and did nothing, finishing with plenty of gas in the tank. Ideally she’ll be driven like that again.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
5.33pm
“He had his legs taken right out from under him on the first turn last time. He’s racing very well and should be in the money again for sure.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
5.33pm
“We’ve scratched him. He has an abscess in a foot and is quite tender on it.”
