Captain Nemo is brave in staving off The Peacemaker in his last visit to Cambridge. PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.
Captain Nemo well placed to salute the judge again at Cambridge on Thursday night
By Barry Lichter • 27 January 2021
From the pole position improving pacer Captain Nemo looks the one to beat in the eighth race at Cambridge on Thursday night.
Captain Nemo ran a good fourth at Auckland last week, where he has previously struggled going right-handed, and has an excellent record at Cambridge with two wins, a second and a fourth in strong Sires’ Stakes company from only four starts.
“We took the spreaders off him last week at Auckland and he didn’t touch his knee but he’s obviously better left-handed at Cambridge,” says Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green.
“He’s definitely the one to beat from that draw.”
Captain Nemo scored on his last visit to Cambridge two starts back when, after sitting parked early, driver David Butcher took him to the front 1200 metres from home.
Though challenged hotly in the run home, the Captaintreacherous three-year-old responded bravely to stave off The Peacemaker by a neck.
In his previous start he ran second at Cambridge to Dixie Reign, looping the field to sit parked from the 900, while the leader was gifted soft sectionals in front.
Gareth Paddison with his gift horse Captain Nemo.Green expects the powerfully built Captain Nemo to keep improving with racing and the quality of the field he meets on Thursday is well down on that at Auckland last week when former southerner Makara paced the mobile 2200 metres in 2:41.8, excellent time for a low grade.
Captain Nemo had to run only 2:44.2 to win at Cambridge at his previous start.
Captain Nemo is raced in partnership by Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street with the Green Machine Syndicate, Grant Dickey, Peter Dougherty, Ian Middleton and accomplished golfer Gareth Paddison who was gifted a share by the Streets after finishing second in the Wairakei Invitational last year.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
