Captain Nemo has won five races in Brisbane, one at Redcliffe. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Don’t let the form line fool you, the Captain should be right in the fight on Wednesday
By Barry Lichter • 19 April 2022
Captain Nemo’s form might look like it’s tailed off but don’t let that fool you when he lines up at Redcliffe on Wednesday night.
The way Captain Nemo has been training, trainer Mark Dux says he’ll be disappointed if the horse doesn’t finish in the money in the fourth race.
Lincoln Farms’ tough campaigner lines up in a heat of an up-to-rating 90 series, where qualifiers from five races in April compete for a A$20,770 stake over 1660 metres at Albion Park on Saturday week.
If he misses the cut, Nemo will be eligible for a A$10,820 consolation the same night.
“It won’t be any pushover for him on Wednesday - it’s not his favourite track and it’s a reasonable field - but I’m really happy with him, he’s done terrific since his last run.”
That race, 11 days ago, when he finished last, was a complete forgive, says Dux.
Sent forward from four on the gate, Captain Nemo was trapped three wide round the first corner on a brutal 26.9 first quarter.
And when Dux tried to push Nemo up outside the leader, the driver of the parked horse refused to relent.
“I thought the guy would be happy to take cover but he obviously thought I wasn’t a good horse to follow. I don’t know where he got that idea from given how tough Nemo races all the time.”
Eased back to the rear, Nemo still couldn’t get in and when Dux tried to improve down the back straight, there was nobody home. Beaten before the home turn, Nemo finished 36 metres from the winner.
“Nothing went right for him but I’m expecting him to run really well this time.”
With Wednesday’s race drawn on earnings in their last four starts, Nemo gets an OK alley of two on the second row, as a consquence of finishing out of the money in his last three.
“I’m happy with that draw,” says Dux. “I’ll follow out the two horse (Artful Maid) and should get a good run through.
“Hemsworth is going well but has drawn wide which isn’t ideal over 1780 metres at Redcliffe.”
Captain Nemo races at 9.06pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Wednesday.
More news in Harness
Consisent little Lincoln Lou sold to Western Australia to join fellow ex-Kiwis
Kevin Kline caps record day for Casey and loyal Lincoln Farms’ team - and can repeat
It’s bon voyage Frisky as Ray celebrates another rags to riches sale success
Huge disappointment for Lincoln Farms as exciting Colonel Lincoln bows out again
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.44pm
“Fergie’s drive on Sunday was perfect, you couldn’t ask for better, and he said the horse was doing his best work in the last 50 metres. Maybe with another 100 metres he might have got there. His gate speed is only OK so I can see him getting crossed here.”
Race 5: Kevin Kline
6.19pm
“Fergie said he did it easily on the first day, and the horse only did what he had to. He’s been racing much nicer horses at Auckland so it was good to get the win, hopefully it will boost his confidence. I’ll leave the tactics up to Fergie but I imagine he’ll probably do the same thing again, loop the field and outstay them.”
Race 6: Onyx Shard
6.54pm
“I was hoping she’d drop down a grade. She’s had some tough trips recently, having to do a lot of work, and it didn’t help being three wide for the last lap on the first day. Also they only walked and sprinted home. She could be better coming with one run at them.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Lover
5.33pm
“He had no chance last start when trapped three wide all the way. That won’t happen this time from the inside draw so that gives him a chance to get some of it.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.33pm
“He’s shown no gate speed so the wide draw doesn’t matter. He’s coming along all right but will need lots of luck against the hot pots.”
Race 5: Debbie Lincoln
6.54pm
“She seems to have overcome her tying-up issue, her bloods are good, and she’s training well again. She could possibly be underdone and the seven draw makes it very hard.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lou
7.20pm
Scratched. Sold to Western Australia.
