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.
More news in Harness
Ray: Sammy Lincoln has ‘turned the corner’ and can go on with it on Friday night
Wide draws to overcome but Spirit Of God and Jessie Lincoln should both be competitive
Lincoln Farms turns Spiritual Bliss into a big winner - and now she’s off to the States
Emotional night at the Park as Sammy Lincoln steps up for John and his sister Maree
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Spirit Of God
5.44pm
“She’s definitely a chance as she has enough speed. The raw ability is there and I’m sure she’s as good as any of them ability wise. You can forget she went round at Auckland last week as she locked wheels 600 out.”
Race 1: Jessie Lincoln
5.44pm
“There’s not a lot between her and Spirit Of God. The other filly is probably a bit fitter than Jessie but she worked well today and I think she’ll be very competitive. It depends on what sort of run she gets (from eight).”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
7.39pm
“I can’t label her as a betting proposition from the draw, and in a tougher field, but you can never discount her as you know she’ll put herself in the race. You saw what she did last week - it doesn’t matter where she draws, she’ll launch.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Marylynes Boy
5.56pm
“Last week’s run was a non-event but he went well on debut. He’d have to be a shot, drawn the inside.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.57pm
“It’s a shame he hasn’t had more economical trips - he’s had some tough runs - and keeps going good races. He should go well again.”
Race 4: Lincoln Wave
6.57pm
“He burned himself out early in the derby. There was no race for him last week but he’s training well and should be right in it. His best races have been on the front end.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.56pm
“She’s got the draw and will lead out but she’s no match for Sammy Lincoln and looks better placed at Cambridge.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.56pm
“I think he’s turned the corner and can go on with the job. He will have gained a lot in confidence from last week’s win. We haven’t really tried him out of the gate but he’s a good horse who is improving all the time.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.56pm
“He pulled too hard when caught back on the markers last week. He’s got the same inside second row draw so we’ve taken the blinds off or he’d over-race again. When he draws a (good) gate we’ll put them back on again. Obviously he’s best on the front end.”
