Argyle sits parked in the running fresh-up at Albion Park last Saturday night.
Look for better run from green Argyle on Saturday night with can’t-see-back blinds
By Barry Lichter • 24 March 2023
Trainer Mark Dux will be surprised if Argyle doesn’t run a good race at Albion Park on Saturday night, calling his first-up run “inconclusive.”
Argyle, having his first race for more than four months last Saturday, did plenty of work three wide to the death, before dropping out to run last.
But Dux points to two factors that muddy the result, the horse’s greenness and the fact he went to the line on another horse’s back, unable to get clear.
“At the finish he had nowhere to go and couldn’t be tested so it was an inconclusive run. I’m sure he had something to offer.”
But Dux said it was more the horse’s inexperience that told against him.
“He didn’t seem to know what to do. He continually switched on and off.”
Right from the start, Argyle made it difficult for driver Nathan Dawson.
“He wanted to run the gate, and then he didn’t, and when Nathan went to pull back he grabbed the bit again.
“And when he let him go down the back he dropped the bit and raced greenly. If he’d held his position outside the leader down the back he might have been OK but when he let the other one go, the horse switched off.
“He’s done that with me at home too. Some days you can’t get him going, but when he’s switched on he’s good.”
Argyle … hot and cold.Given Argyle can run a little hot and cold, Dux will try him in “can’t-see-back” blinds on Saturday night to make him concentrate more.
“He can pull so I don’t want to close him up too much.”
Though Argyle is the highest rated horse in the field on R74, Dux said he’s a beginner compared with most of his rivals.
With just 17 starts under his belt, he is easily the most lightly raced and seven of his rivals have won more races than him, having slid up and down the grades.
Argyle hasn’t had that luxury of dropping many points, having jumped quickly in class and finishing in the top five in nine of his starts.
With three wins at Cambridge and one at Auckland between last April and August, Argyle rose from R45 to R60. And when he won a rating 67 to 75 race first-up at Melton in September, he jumped into a grade populated by battle-hardened runners.
“But I still think he’ll race well on Saturday,” Dux said. “I’m pleased with him and I rate him a top four or five chance for sure.
“Obviously from three on the second row we’ll have to come from the back, drive him quietly and follow them, but so long as they don’t walk, I think he’ll be thereabouts.”
Argyle, who has earned A$50,559, is raced by John and Lynne Street, David Turner, Barry and Marie Jones and the Friday Frenzy Racing syndciate comprising Ian Middleton, Peter Jeffares, Bernie McCahill, Mike Ledger and Rob Redwood.
Argyle races at 9.10pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.26pm
“She had to sit parked most of the way last time but still went well, and that’s what she does. She’s proven to be a very promising filly and, while it’s hard these days to win without a good trip, it’s an even field and she’s a good chance again.”
Race 2: Lincoln Lou
5.55pm
“He probably cost himself a win last week by going roughly, but he can do that. If he’d got Frisco Bay’s trip he would have won with his closing quarters of 56 and 27 the fastest in the race. He’s just got to do things right to be the one to beat, even from the bad draw, as it’s an easier field.”
Race 5: Frisco Bay
7.30pm
“He’s up in grade a bit but I don’t think there’s anything between them. He’s just got to get the right run and, with his speed, he’ll be right in it.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.59pm
“He’s no superstar but he’s very honest and he’s always a place chance as he’s a tough bugger, he sat parked last week.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.59pm
“With a similar run to last week, he’d be right in it. He clocked 55.8 and 27.7, doing his best work at the finish. He hasn’t gone a bad race since he’s come back.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.59pm
“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything on debut as he’s a green, young horse. But he went very well so he’s obviously lifted his game for the occasion. And he’s trained on even better so the experience has enhanced him. From the inside he has to be a good chance.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.59pm
“She’s definitely a better animal left-handed but she was passable right-handed and should go better this time. She’s got some speed.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.59pm
“She’s a nice filly but is behind the others. I don’t expect her to beat anything but she needs the experience.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.59pm
“There won’t be any shadows for her to jump this time so she has to be a serious chance. She’d been dominant at the workouts and trials before her debut but didn’t get the chance to show her true worth.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.59pm
“Fergie was quite impressed with him on debut and requested the drive again. He finished on strongly up the lane and should go well again. He just needs some luck from the outside of the gate.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 3: Argyle
9.04pm NZ time
“I thought his last two starts have been terrific. There’s no doubt this race is tougher, and he has trickier draw, but I was talking to Angus last night and he was quite upbeat about his chances. He said the horse gave him a good feel when he sat parked two starts back and he picked him too (in the draft). But it won’t be easy. There could be a bit of pressure early. I think he’ll come out and see what unfolds and, if there is too much pressure, he’ll drive him quietly.”
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: Onyx Shard
5.29pm
“You can put a line through her last run at Cambridge when she pulled up showing signs of a respiratory infection. She had a couple of weeks off after that and, while she hasn’t trialled since, she’s been training down nicely. She’s a nice filly and from the good draw should really win.”
Race 3: Lincoln La Moose
6.19pm
“He wasn’t far away in the amateur race at Auckland last time despite jumping a shadow early and galloping. This is a decent drop in class for him and he should be very competitive.
