
Sitting outside the leader proved too tough for Argyle last week but he still paced a mile rate of 1:53.17.
At last, good front row draw gives Argyle his chance in Brisbane on Saturday night
Argyle looks a solid top four chance after finally drawing to get a sweet run on the pace at Albion Park on Saturday night.
While the third race has at least five winning chances, trainer Mark Dux says, for the first time since Argyle’s comeback from injury, Lincoln Farms’ six-year-old is well placed to feature.
With claiming concession driver Layne Dwyer in the cart, Argyle sneaks into the band 5 race and his luck was in, landing two in the random draw.
From there, Dux believes he has an excellent chance of leading.
“The one horse (Congo Line) hasn’t shown a heap of speed off the gate. If they revved him up, the 2138 metre start point (at the top of the home straight) would be where he could hold up, but I think we’ll cross him.
“If we can, good, if not, it’s not the end of the world. A couple out wide, like Collect A Dime, will keep pressing forward so I’m sure cover would come. Either way, he won’t have to work to get there, which makes a huge difference, and should get a good trip.”
Dux says he’s been happy with both of Argyle’s last two runs, when he carried a flat tyre and, last week when he sat parked outside the leader.
“Even though a couple got past him, I thought he was pretty solid. He did all the work and the winner, Hiranya, is a pretty decent horse.”
Argyle, himself, was clocked to run sectionals of 27.5, 29.78, 27.77 and 28.45, his mile rate for the 1660 metres a slick 1:53.17.
“He keeps coming and will be suited by the extra distance this week.
“I rate him a top three or four chance for sure, barring bad luck.”
Argyle races at 9.51pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
The Night Fox the latest in Nate’s love affair with Vincent - and he’s working super
Dave Phillips back in the winner’s circle with Spiritual Bliss, lauding Lincoln Farms
Everything goes to script for new Gold Card member David Turner as Lincoln Wave swells
Sammy Lincoln can make amends on Friday after narrow escape - Spiritual Bliss too
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
Sammy Lincoln, Lincoln Wave.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Nathan’s comments
Wednesday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln Maree
5.11pm
“She’s finding her feet and was a bit unlucky at Taupo. She put in a few rough ones out of the gate - she was like that early in her prep and could just jump out of it - but she’s generally doing things right now. She trained well on Saturday and, with the right run, could run top three.”
Race 3: The Night Fox
6pm
“He won really well on the second day at Hawera and if he races anything like he’s training he’ll be hard to beat. He ran a 27.3 quarter during the week and I was just sitting on him. I’ll tell Craig to go forward, set an even tempo and cut him loose at the 600. I think he’s our best of the night.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.35pm
“Hopefully he’s improved since Taupo when Fergie drove him a treat in front. I actually think he’s better coming off something’s back but I’ll leave it up to Fergie. He’s up a bit in grade but has the right draw to be in it all the way.”

