Captain Nemo finishes fast up the inner but just misses.
Nemo fighting fit but wide draw means he’s relying on luck again on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 5 January 2024
Captain Nemo was terrific in running a close second last week but will need luck to win from an inferior draw at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Just half a head was between Captain Nemo and a perfect end to 2023 with trainer Mark Dux full of praise for the Lincoln Farms’ pacer.
“Incredibly, he broke 27 for his last quarter and still didn’t win but the leader just got home so fast,” Dux said.
Captain Nemo, who took a trail on expected pacemaker Bonnie Prince Louis, was actually credited with the fastest last half, 55.81, and quarter, 26.92, in the 2138 metre event.
“Another stride or two and I reckon he would have won. He just wanted to hang out a bit in the straight and that probably cost him. It took Angus a little time to get down to the inside.
“I’m sure he’ll race well again this week but we’ll have to drive him quietly early from six. There are two or three inside him with gate speed.”
With Makara, Lightning Dan and Surf Ace all likely to go foward, Dux says Captain Nemo will have to go back and then it will all come down to tempo and luck.
“It’s just a matter of what they do once they settle, and how much they back off the speed, but with the right trip he can earn money for sure.
“I’m sure he’ll be charging to the line, along with Red Right Hand, who looks the one to beat even from the outside.”
Dux reports Argyle is now over the foot issues which cost him a start on December 30.
Dux suspected the foot was troubling the horse despite his excellent work last Thursday and he was proven right a day later.
An infection saw the horse barely able to walk last Sunday but once it blew out the back of his heel, and he was given antibiotics, the relief was almost instantaneous.
“He had five days off work but he’s back in business now and hopefully we’re on top of it.”
Captain Nemo races at 10.15pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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Prince Lincoln spearheads record-sized team for Lincoln Farms at Cambridge on Friday
Ray cautions punters with no lead this time for Jekyll and Hyde colt Prince Lincoln
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Jessie Lincoln
5.44pm
“She normally runs on better but, after looking like she was going to round them up on the turn last week, she just flattened out. But she’ll be hovering around there somewhere.”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
6.55pm
“She’s such a tough little filly who tries so hard. I wish I had one with speed with those qualities. It would be nice if they go hard, and she gets a suck along, then she might get a small piece of it. She never goes a bad race.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
6.55pm
“She’s been going all right but she keeps getting awkward draws and getting pushed back to the rear. Because of her initial success (as a two-year-old) she’s been badly off in the ratings but she’s slowly losing points.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
6.55pm
“He’s a serious winning chance. He’ll go forward from his outside gate and try to dominate again in front. He’s not just winning, he’s demolishing them.”
Race 9: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.45pm
“He got fired up at Cambridge with the long delay and, after he went forward to get a position, Fergie was just a passenger. When they pull that hard they don’t run on. He’s been racing well and can’t be ruled out if he gets a good trip.”
Race 9: Lincoln Wave
8.45pm
”If he gets a half decent trip, he’s the one to beat. Ignore the Cambridge run last week from a stand. We know what he can do from the mobile.”
