Captain Nemo’s field forms a perfect arrow head as they approach the finishing post at Albion Park last Saturday.
Nemo will find it tough on Friday and Tommy’s out, waiting for the guns to go home
By Barry Lichter • 7 July 2022
Captain Nemo is on the improve but he’ll find it tough at Albion Park on Friday, says trainer Mark Dux.
Nemo, a rating 76 horse, missed out on his preferred start on Saturday night, and is one of the lowest rated runners in the sixth race for up to rating 90 pacers.
“It’s a pretty strong field - every bit as good as last week, maybe stronger - and while he’s starting to get back to where he was, he’s not quite there yet.”
Dux was very pleased with how Nemo performed in only his second run back last Saturday night - from the second row he trailed winner Ronaldo all the way and fought hard in the run home for third.
“I was more than happy with the run, it told me he’s heading in the right direction and he’s done well since.
“We’ll come out steady on Friday, get into the running line, and play it by ear.”
But with Ronaldo a rival again and the rating 94 Mafuta Vautin and rating 92 Saucy Dreams also in the field, Dux isn’t getting his hopes up too high.
Racing at this time of the year has become very tough, he says, with so many interstate horses in Queensland for the winter carnival.
“Once they brought only their best ones but now a few more come as well and if you’re even a touch down on form it’s hard.”
Break for Tommy
That’s why Dux has decided to give Tommy Lincoln a short break, after he was made first emergency for the opening race on Saturday night.
Tommy looked well outclassed anyway in the hot field which includes Miracle Mile runner-up Jilliby Kung Fu.
Dux says he’s not sure why Tommy stopped last Saturday night after leading a weaker field as a warm favourite.
“I don’t know whether he just had an off night or if the 26.6 first quarter played into it. That other horse was in our face the rest of the way too.
“I’ll give him a week off to freshen up and then start again. Hopefully all the good ones will have gone home in a month.”
Captain Nemo races at 6.07pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.
Tommy Lincoln was balloted out at Albion Park on Saturday night so will have a short break.
More news in Harness
Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling
Ray: Preferential draw for top fillies makes it tough for everyone else in Golden Gait series
Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
Friday’s Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup all about the standing start manners of Aussie raider
Our runners this week
Tuesday at Cambridge
Colonel Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Kevin Kline, Lincoln La Moose, The Big Lebowski.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.51pm
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
6.49pm
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw. She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.39pm
“He hasn’t raced for nearly 21 months but his training has been good and he should go well first-up. He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.04pm
“He’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn. It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.09pm
“He’ll be relying on a heap of good luck from the second row. His last run was a non-event. The poor little bugger couldn’t have done a better job of finding trouble. He’s trained on all right.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.09pm
“He’s training really well and he showed last time what a big motor he had, losing all that ground early and still getting up to win. He’s not famous for his gate speed but as long as he gets away safely then Maurice can put him in the race at the right time. There are a lot of horses in there that aren’t that safe who could stand on their ear. Navigating through them is always a worry. He’ll need some luck but he could give them a fright.”
Race 6: Frisco Bay
8.05pm
“He obviously can’t beat Duchess Megxit or Jeremiah but if he gets a good trip he’s a chance of getting some money. Things didn’t suit him last time - being out three wide then going to the front. He’s so hot, he over-races. He goes best if he’s allowed to slop out and find the back of something, when he generally relaxes. Even if he got back a bit, that would be all right, so long as he gets sucked along.”
