Don’t be fooled by laid back Captain Nemo - he’s far from done after Albion Park hat-trick
By Barry Lichter • 9 October 2021
Trainer Mark Dux has some good inside info for you on Captain Nemo.
While Lincoln Farms’ three-year-old notched a hat-trick at Albion Park on Friday night Dux says many people might have walked away thinking because he nearly got beaten he would not progress much further.
“But he’s very deceptive because he gets away from the pack and relaxes. He doesn’t want to run away - he’s happy to win by only half a length.
“Another lap and they wouldn’t have beaten him last night. It’s not a nice feeling when he switches off 30 metres from the post and you think, uh oh, he’s going to get run down.
“But when they get to his saddle you can feel him lift again and you know there’s more there. He put them away easily last night. He has a good will to win.”
Captain Nemo advanced three points to a 76 rating with his latest win but Dux says he has a long way to go before he reaches his mark.
“He’ll be a 100 rater by the time he’s done. We haven’t begun the Saturday nights yet where we can race him in the metropolitan races, the band races that Tommy Lincoln has been in.
“But I thought I’d run him through the grades before that. On Saturdays you go up five points.”
Dux has two options for Captain Nemo next week, either another Friday race or a three-year-old event on the Saturday night which might not get off the ground.
Mark Dux will have to relinquish the reins on Captain Nemo next week. PHOTO: Dan Costello.But wherever Dux chooses he will have to sit this one out after copping a 12-day suspension last night for an incident early in the race.
When Dux moved out on Captain Nemo to jump on the back of the three wide line, the driver in front grabbed hold, and he quickly moved back in, but not before the driver behind, Peter Grieg, had started to take up his spot on Beef City Blaze, who galloped when contacting his sulky.
Though Dux has won three straight on the horse since taking the reins, he says Captain Nemo is not hard to drive, you just have to understand his MO.
“But I’d actually like to see him in a race where they go crazy and he can sit back and attack late.”
Dux reports Captain Nemo pulled up well again after the race - “he’s in his paddock enjoying himself.
“It’s nice when you get horses going well for the owners. And he has plenty more wins in store.”
Having the time of his life following Captain Nemo is one of the partners Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street took in on the horse, well known golfer Gareth Paddison.
The Streets gifted Paddison an all expenses paid 10% share in the Captaintreacherous colt after he finished runner-up in the Wairakei Invitational pro-am at Taupo, which they sponsored in 2020.
The Streets’ other partners are the South Island’s Green Machine Syndicate, Grant Dickey and Ian Middleton.
With four wins in Queensland now, Captain Nemo’s record reads eight wins and seven placings from 37 starts for $69,565 in stakes.
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
