Mark Dux’s wife Donna welcomes Captain Nemo after the first of a hat-trick of wins last September. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Mark on Albion Park chances: He’s working like the old Nemo except he’s a bit of a lad now
By Barry Lichter • 27 October 2022
Two things have changed with Captain Nemo since he last raced.
Trainer Mark Dux likes one of them but he’s not so sure about the other.
With any luck, Dux says we’ll see a revitalised Nemo in the opening race at Albion Park on Friday night even though he hasn’t raced for three months.
“He couldn’t be going any better. The way he’s working this campaign compared with when he went out last time is like chalk and cheese.
“I’m really happy with him, he’s like the old Nemo. It’s how he was working when he first started racing here,” said Dux who won four races quite quickly with the horse including a hat-trick.
Weirdly, though, with the newfound vigour has come a complete change in the Nemo’s nature.
“For the last 12 months he’s been so quiet you wouldn’t have known he was a colt. Now he really knows it, he’s on his toes, he screams and carries on, and you can’t walk into a paddock with another horse.”
Brisbane-based Kiwi driver Luke Whittaker pilots Captain Nemo on Friday night.Dux is happy to put up with the antics if Nemo’s energy translates into success on the racetrack and he says the horse is feeling so good he’ll be very surprised if he doesn’t go a good race.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with him and, if he got the right sort of trip, nothing would surprise me.
“He’ll obviously improve with the run but I’m sure he’ll race well - it will just come down to how much work he has to do in the running.”
Dux is similarly pleased with Tommy Lincoln who takes on a strong field on Saturday night but over his preferred 1660 metre trip.
There’s been no racing for Tommy anywhere in the last three weeks, Dux having nominated him for every Saturday race as well as Fridays and Tuesdays and none of the races have stood up.
“But I don’t think it will worry him. I’m really happy with the way he’s going.”
Though only fourth at his last start on October 8 behind dead-heaters, Cruz Bromac and Turn It Up, and Will The Wizard, all rivals again on Saturday night, Tommy ran out of his skin.
Fastest last 400
Fifth of six in the running, Tommy unleashed a 54.64 last half, his last 400 of 25.85 the fastest in the race.
“In these fast class races if they happen to go only steady and you’re an extra 8 metres behind where you want to be, you can run the fastest last 400 like he did and still run only fourth.
“The fractions he’s running are as good as anything in the race. They don’t go much quicker anywhere.”
Dux is confident Tommy can beat pole runner Subtle Delight for early speed but is not sure if he can cross Cardlesfromheaven immediately inside him.
“I’m worried about the two horse. He hasn’t drawn to come off the gate for a long time but he has a bit of speed.
“From three you have to have a look and see what happens. Turn It Up will lead but I’d like to think we can cross the two then be behind the leader. If that happens there’s no reason he can’t run a place.”
Captain Nemo races at 8.52pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.
Tommy Lincoln races at 10.42pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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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.
