Captain Nemo was only sixth at Redcliffe but ran some of the fastest sectionals in the race.
Mark: One more run and improving Captain Nemo will be ready to torpedo his rivals
By Barry Lichter • 11 July 2024
A wide draw looks set to consign Captain Nemo to the also-rans again at Albion Park on Friday evening but trainer Mark Dux says he’ll be cherry ripe next time.
Nemo resumed from a freshener at Redcliffe last week where Dux says everything was against him - the tight track, the second row barrier, and the race tempo - but he still ran a satisfactory sixth.
“It went like we expected, a steady first half (62.2) and quick last half (56.7) and he couldn’t get into the race. But his sectionals were still very good.”
In coming from second last in the running, and courtesy of a corner-cutting drive by young gun Angus Garrard, Nemo clocked the fastest third quarter of 27.93 and equal second fastest last half of 56.78.
“To run those times at Redcliffe was pretty good and he was less than 13 metres away at the finish.
“I’m happy with him and one more run to tighten him up and he’ll be all set to go, close to winning.
“It’s not an easy race on Friday and, from an average draw, we’ll drive him quietly again so he’ll be at the mercy of the tempo.
“But funny things happen in racing. They could go silly and we might be able to get over the top of them. If he gets the right trip I could see him hitting the line well and sneaking into the money.”
Captain Nemo races at 6.33pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.
More news in Harness
Watch Sammy Lincoln charge home and you’ll want to be on at Cambridge on Thursday night
Lincoln Wave scorches in, still on target for richer races and Sammy’s making progress too
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
4.59pm
“He’s racing well and I can’t fault him. The opposition is stronger this time but I can’t see why he won’t go another good race.”
Race 3: Spiritual Bliss
5.59pm
“She’s a good, tough mare. It depends on the trip you get in these sort of races but she loves it when they run hard and she can get some of the money.”
Race 3: Ultimate Cullect
5.59pm
“We haven’t had a lot of time to assess her yet. From the one drive I’ve had on her she doesn’t strike me as a sit-sprinter. But if they go hard, hopefully she’ll get home well.”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
6.57pm
“It’s a “brutal” race but she’s drawn to get a suck along and hopefully she can last well enough for a cheque.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.29pm
“There are a few in there that are better than him but he has a handicap advantage and, if he gets a good trip, he could get some of it. He steps well and his driver reckoned he would have won last week if he’d got the run at the right time.”
Race 10: Sammy Lincoln
9.23pm
“I can’t imagine him being beaten - they’d have to knock him over. He’s very fast and in case he has to move quickly early we’ll use the shorteners. I can’t see any problem with him going left-handed - he’s probably better that way.”
Race 11: Rivergirl Bella
9.54pm
“She’s honest and will try hard.”
