I’m Jimmy James nails Louie The Punter on the line at Albion Park last week.
Louie wanted to wait for them but he can’t do that from his trailing draw on Friday
By Barry Lichter • 28 April 2022
Louie The Punter, pipped late in his Queensland debut at Albion Park last week, just needs an ounce of luck to feature there again on Friday.
Drawn the inside of the second line in the eighth race, the horse’s fortunes will hinge on whether pole runner Congo Line can hold the lead, says trainer Mark Dux.
“The one horse does have gate speed and likes to lead and, if he does, we’re in the race right up to our ears,” says Dux. “If he can’t - and there are a couple who might try to come across - being three back is not the end of the world, he’ll just need a touch of luck.”
Dux expects Louie The Punter to be improved for last week’s run, his first for two months and, even more importantly, leading driver Pete McMullen will be a lot wiser about his charge.
McMullen did not contest the early burn last week, when Glenledi Commander and Smooth Cash went through the lead time in a scorching 34.4.
“I can’t remember a quicker lead time here. Pete even had to do a bit of chasing to hold their backs.”
McMullen did not risk being trapped in behind the leading pair, who capitulated and finished a long last, and moved three wide from the one-one all of 700 metres from home.
“He knew the ones in front would give up quick because they went so crazy, but while he went straight past them when he got to the lead the horse didn’t seem to know what he was doing. He was a bit stop-start and seemed to want to wait for them.”
Despie rallying bravely in the run home, Louie went under by half a neck to I’m Jimmy James.
“Pete said he’s a much better trier than his brother (Lincoln Farms’ former pacer) Double Or Nothing (whom he drove 20 times).
“Missing the trial the previous week wouldn’t have helped him either but Pete was happy with him and is going to try to stay with him if he can.”
Captain Nemo … has had no luck in recent starts. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Nemo luckless
Dux drives Captain Nemo in the tenth race and says he’s hoping he can get a little more luck than in his previous few runs.
“I don’t think his runs have been that bad, things have just gone against him.
“Every time I went to pull out at Redcliffe last week they all wanted to go. The field turned out to be a lot better than I anticipated and he paced roughly again on that top bend.”
Dux says the plan on Friday will be to put Captain Nemo on the speed, despite drawing wide in six.
“I don’t want to burn a 26 quarter to get there but we do need to be handy, there’s no doubt about that. I don’t want to be out the back again.
“Half the battle is getting him on the bit and travelling and if we can sit outside the leader, he’s a top three chance for sure.”
Captain Nemo drops to an up to rating 80 race, compared with last week’s up to rating 90.
Louie The Punter races at 6.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.
Captain Nemo races at 7.24pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.
More news in Harness
Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling
Ray: Preferential draw for top fillies makes it tough for everyone else in Golden Gait series
Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
Friday’s Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup all about the standing start manners of Aussie raider
Our runners this week
Tuesday at Cambridge
Colonel Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Kevin Kline, Lincoln La Moose, The Big Lebowski.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.51pm
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
6.49pm
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw. She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.39pm
“He hasn’t raced for nearly 21 months but his training has been good and he should go well first-up. He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.04pm
“He’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn. It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.09pm
“He’ll be relying on a heap of good luck from the second row. His last run was a non-event. The poor little bugger couldn’t have done a better job of finding trouble. He’s trained on all right.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.09pm
“He’s training really well and he showed last time what a big motor he had, losing all that ground early and still getting up to win. He’s not famous for his gate speed but as long as he gets away safely then Maurice can put him in the race at the right time. There are a lot of horses in there that aren’t that safe who could stand on their ear. Navigating through them is always a worry. He’ll need some luck but he could give them a fright.”
Race 6: Frisco Bay
8.05pm
“He obviously can’t beat Duchess Megxit or Jeremiah but if he gets a good trip he’s a chance of getting some money. Things didn’t suit him last time - being out three wide then going to the front. He’s so hot, he over-races. He goes best if he’s allowed to slop out and find the back of something, when he generally relaxes. Even if he got back a bit, that would be all right, so long as he gets sucked along.”
