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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

Friday night at Auckland

What’s Up The Hill.

Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Nathan Delany

Nathan’s comments

Tuesday twilight at Manawatu

Race 3: Onyx Shard
5.09pm

“She’s working really well and, from the good draw, hopefully she can run a drum. The field’s not that much harder than the one she beat last time at Manawatu (when parked for the last lap).”

Race 3: Kevin Kline
5.09pm

“We’re very happy with him - he’s come back a better horse. He went well at Auckland last start and is working well. We’ll be looking to go forward from the gate and hopefully get a gun run through behind Onyx Shard. On ability, he’s the better chance of the two.”

Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.39pm

“He stepped like a bullet in his first go from a stand here in March. I thought he’d do the same on the second day but he galloped. We’ve got an overcheck on and hopple shorteners on Tuesday so he should make a good beginning. If he can step and lead, then maybe take a trail, he should be hard to beat. He likes it down there where the track is quite soft.”

Race Images - Harness