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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.Argyle races at 9.51pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 5: Lincoln Lover
6.49pm

“You can’t fault what he’s done in his last four starts - he hasn’t missed a cheque. He’s raced at Auckland before as a two-year-old against good horses so it shouldn’t be too daunting for him. He’ll go an honest race, it’s just whether he’s good enough.”

Race 7: The Night Fox
7.57pm

Nathan Delany: “He had to trial on Tuesday after hitting the gate and breaking at Cambridge and I was happy with how he went. He ran Dear God to half a length in 2:38, and got home in 27.3. I’ll tell Harry to have one run at them and he should beat them for speed. Hopefully they run along a bit and he’ll sprint straight past them.”

Race 7: Lincoln Maree
7.57pm

“She lacks a bit of speed but she’s a rough chance.”

Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.24pm

“It’s her first start for five months and she hasn’t trialled but she’s training well. She has plenty of ability and there’s nothing wonderful in the race. In the past she’s been her own worst enemy, a lunatic at times, but she seems more settled this time in. You could say I’m hopeful more than confident.”

Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.24pm

“She has a bit of speed. She hasn’t been strong but seems to have developed a bit more this time in and is training quite well. I don’t think there’s much between her and Lincoln Linda.”

Dan Costello Race Photography