Argyle gets a rare inside draw at Albion Park on Saturday night. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
At last, Argyle gets the pole on Saturday night and Mark reckons it’s his big chance to salute
By Barry Lichter • 16 February 2024
Last one week, first the next. That’s the scenario which could play out for Argyle at Albion Park in Brisbane on Saturday night.
Trainer Mark Dux knew Argyle had no chance of winning last Saturday night when he took on rising star For Real Life from the second row and, while the horse ended up running last, he says it was a good run.
“It sounds silly saying that when he ran last but it’s not like he was walking, he ran through the line really strongly.”
This week, Argyle gets his first pole position in the 15 months he’s been racing in Brisbane and, with no stars against him, and being the second highest rated runner in the field, Dux thinks he’s a winner.
“He’s been racing consistently well, with bad draws and bad luck, but this week from one, I think he can hold up and then we’re definitely the one to beat.”
Dux backs his claim by pointing to Argyle’s sectional times last week which weren’t too inferior to winner For Real Life, who clocked 27.62, 30.81, 27.45 and 27.04.
Argyle ran through the quarter markers in 28.88, 30.68, 27.68 and 27.09, his closing 800 of 54.78 just 0.29 slower than the winner.
“Only eight horses all night were quicker than him over that last 800 - three who were in the free-for-all and five in his race. Their 800s ranged from 54.3 to 54.7 so he was only 0.4 slower and he was really good on the line.”
Dux was delighted to see Argyle finally draw the inside this week - in his 25 previous starts in Queensland he’s only twice started from two and only once from three.
13 second row draws
With 13 second row draws it has been very hard for him to capitalise on his toughness.
“He’s very strong so stepping up to 2138 metres doesn’t matter. He needs only average luck and, as long as nothing goes wrong, he’ll be super hard to beat.
“The only problem would be if we were crossed at the start and shoved back but there’s nothing in the field you’d say is really quick - they’ve got good gate speed without being brilliant.
“I couldn’t see So Sirius crossing us from six and, can he sit outside us and beat us? I can’t see it. I thought he was a bit ordinary last week, not as good as he has been.”
Dux says you have to rate Grant Dixon’s in-form Class To The Max a chance from three but he believes the biggest danger will be the horse likely to be on Argyle’s back, the Peter McMullen-driven Shell Shock.
“If it comes to a dash up the straight Shell Shock would be tough to beat.
“But I’m really happy with Argyle. He’s done well, he looks good and he’s working well.”
Dux doesn’t believe even an act of God like a water-logged track would stop Argyle.
“The rain hasn’t stopped over here - we’ve had 80mls and storms overnight - but I don’t think that would worry him.”
Argyle races at 11.35pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling
Ray: Preferential draw for top fillies makes it tough for everyone else in Golden Gait series
Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
Friday’s Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup all about the standing start manners of Aussie raider
Our runners this week
Tuesday at Cambridge
Colonel Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Kevin Kline, Lincoln La Moose, The Big Lebowski.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.51pm
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
6.49pm
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw. She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.39pm
“He hasn’t raced for nearly 21 months but his training has been good and he should go well first-up. He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.04pm
“He’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn. It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.09pm
“He’ll be relying on a heap of good luck from the second row. His last run was a non-event. The poor little bugger couldn’t have done a better job of finding trouble. He’s trained on all right.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.09pm
“He’s training really well and he showed last time what a big motor he had, losing all that ground early and still getting up to win. He’s not famous for his gate speed but as long as he gets away safely then Maurice can put him in the race at the right time. There are a lot of horses in there that aren’t that safe who could stand on their ear. Navigating through them is always a worry. He’ll need some luck but he could give them a fright.”
Race 6: Frisco Bay
8.05pm
“He obviously can’t beat Duchess Megxit or Jeremiah but if he gets a good trip he’s a chance of getting some money. Things didn’t suit him last time - being out three wide then going to the front. He’s so hot, he over-races. He goes best if he’s allowed to slop out and find the back of something, when he generally relaxes. Even if he got back a bit, that would be all right, so long as he gets sucked along.”
