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.
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Huge disappointment for Lincoln Farms as exciting Colonel Lincoln bows out again
Our runners this week
Sunday at Manawatu
What’s Up The Hill, Onyx Shard, Kevin Kline (scratched), Leo Lincoln.
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.
