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.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.26pm
“She had to sit parked most of the way last time but still went well, and that’s what she does. She’s proven to be a very promising filly and, while it’s hard these days to win without a good trip, it’s an even field and she’s a good chance again.”
Race 2: Lincoln Lou
5.55pm
“He probably cost himself a win last week by going roughly, but he can do that. If he’d got Frisco Bay’s trip he would have won with his closing quarters of 56 and 27 the fastest in the race. He’s just got to do things right to be the one to beat, even from the bad draw, as it’s an easier field.”
Race 5: Frisco Bay
7.30pm
“He’s up in grade a bit but I don’t think there’s anything between them. He’s just got to get the right run and, with his speed, he’ll be right in it.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.59pm
“He’s no superstar but he’s very honest and he’s always a place chance as he’s a tough bugger, he sat parked last week.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.59pm
“With a similar run to last week, he’d be right in it. He clocked 55.8 and 27.7, doing his best work at the finish. He hasn’t gone a bad race since he’s come back.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.59pm
“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything on debut as he’s a green, young horse. But he went very well so he’s obviously lifted his game for the occasion. And he’s trained on even better so the experience has enhanced him. From the inside he has to be a good chance.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.59pm
“She’s definitely a better animal left-handed but she was passable right-handed and should go better this time. She’s got some speed.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.59pm
“She’s a nice filly but is behind the others. I don’t expect her to beat anything but she needs the experience.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.59pm
“There won’t be any shadows for her to jump this time so she has to be a serious chance. She’d been dominant at the workouts and trials before her debut but didn’t get the chance to show her true worth.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.59pm
“Fergie was quite impressed with him on debut and requested the drive again. He finished on strongly up the lane and should go well again. He just needs some luck from the outside of the gate.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 3: Argyle
9.04pm NZ time
“I thought his last two starts have been terrific. There’s no doubt this race is tougher, and he has trickier draw, but I was talking to Angus last night and he was quite upbeat about his chances. He said the horse gave him a good feel when he sat parked two starts back and he picked him too (in the draft). But it won’t be easy. There could be a bit of pressure early. I think he’ll come out and see what unfolds and, if there is too much pressure, he’ll drive him quietly.”
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: Onyx Shard
5.29pm
“You can put a line through her last run at Cambridge when she pulled up showing signs of a respiratory infection. She had a couple of weeks off after that and, while she hasn’t trialled since, she’s been training down nicely. She’s a nice filly and from the good draw should really win.”
Race 3: Lincoln La Moose
6.19pm
“He wasn’t far away in the amateur race at Auckland last time despite jumping a shadow early and galloping. This is a decent drop in class for him and he should be very competitive.
