Angus Garrard, pictured after scoring his 500th winner behind Captain Nemo, is back on for Saturday night. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Nemo playing second fiddle to Targaryen again but he’s close to taking another trick
By Barry Lichter • 29 December 2022
Trainer Mark Dux is expecting another competitive run from Captain Nemo at Albion Park on Saturday night after he surprised with a super fourth last week.
With a nightmare outside front row draw in a strong band 5 field, Dux couldn’t see how Nemo could feature from back in the field.
But after his daughter Madi latched on to the three wide train, Nemo kept finding up the straight and did very well to finish fourth as a $34 outsider.
The real merit of his run was reflected in his sectional times. He ran the fastest middle half of 56.99 and his last half of 55.97 was the second fastest in the race - better than winner Targaryen - despite covering 29 metres further than the hot favourite.
On Saturday night, while two on the second row, he is drawn to get a nice run through behind Targaryen.
“I could see Karloo Bradley rolling across from three so there could be a little pressure, but I doubt it will last for long.
“We might land outside the leader or we could be one-one or one-two but either way we shouldn’t be too far off them.
“The favourite is the one to beat again from the alley. He’s back in class with a claim so he’s well in the race.
“But Nemo is racing really well and if you swapped draws and we drew two and Targaryen was on the back row we could probably win.”
Dux says Nemo has done terrifically well since the run and he’s sure he will be more than competitive again.
“He’ll be thereabouts. We just need a bit of luck in the run and have to hope the favourite has to do extra work. If they go only steady and brush home quickly the last half or quarter, it will be tough but Nemo is close to winning one in that grade with the right run.”
Captain Nemo races at 11.36pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
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Kevin Kline caps record day for Casey and loyal Lincoln Farms’ team - and can repeat
It’s bon voyage Frisky as Ray celebrates another rags to riches sale success
Huge disappointment for Lincoln Farms as exciting Colonel Lincoln bows out again
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.
