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.
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Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Cambridge
Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
4.53pm
“He’s drawn out a bit this week but I don’t think that will worry him too much. The driver’s pretty confident and we’ve got hopple shorteners on him to help him burn off the gate. Zac was pretty happy with his run last time. He only did what he needed to and there’s not much difference in the quality of the field. That one of Andre’s who beat him last time (St John Eight) is quite a nice horse who’d been racing well at Auckland.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Angelic Copy
6.09pm
Update: Scratched
“There is some doubt over whether she will start and we’re taking blood tomorrow morning to see how she is. We eliminated the tie-up problem but after she trained below par this week we took a blood and it showed she had a virus.”
Race 3: Lincoln Linda
6.09pm
“She’ll need a lot of luck from the outside of the second row. She was too fierce again last time, but I’m hoping the likely faster pace on Friday will suit her.”
Race 4: Lincoln Lover
6.40pm
“Lincoln Lover isn’t training as well as Prince Lincoln but he has the inside draw to help him. And he’s a tough little bugger who’s not one to shirk his responsibilities.”
Race 4: Prince Lincoln
6.40pm
“If I had to choose between them I’d say Prince Lincoln is the better chance. He’s training very well and he’d be a chance of getting some of it with luck from his wide gate.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.23pm
“I’m not holding my breath. He’s gone some handy races against the very best but he’s not in career best form. I’m just hoping the 2700 metres might suit him better. I think he might need a decent break.”
