Captain Nemo and Paul Diebert out-tough their rivals at Albion Park earlier in the month. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Periscope on Our Action Man but our Captain Nemo can dictate from the draw on Tuesday
By Barry Lichter • 23 August 2021
Tough-as-teak pacer Captain Nemo looks mighty hard to beat again on Tuesday in what looks a two-horse race at Albion Park.
And this time, Lincoln Farms’ three-year-old has the advantage in the draw over his last-start conqueror Our Action Man, starting from five on the front compared with his rivals’ second row eight.
Captain Nemo has stunned everyone with his last two starts in Brisbane, sitting three wide without cover, winning on August 3 and a week later getting up off the canvas on the home turn to claw back into second.
Trainer Mark Dux described his last start performance as “a very decent effort” after he was timed to run his last half, solo three wide, in 56.46.
“I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t race well again. I could have run him last week but I opted to miss a week because he had had those two gut-busters.
“But he’s done terrific - I’m more than happy with him - and barring bad luck he’ll be right in the finish.”
Dux says Captain Nemo should roll across from five and sit right on the speed over the 1660 metres.
“We can’t be going back over a mile. I’d like to be in front of Our Action Man, even if we’re parked, so we can dictate.”
Dux says it’s hard to see Our Action Man getting as good a trip as last start when he was able to lead as he liked from gate two.
While pole runner Jay Tee Tyron has a bit of gate speed, Dux says he hasn’t been going so well lately so is unlikely to give the favourite, drawn on his back, a drag into the race.
“Our Action Man will still be hard to beat but he won’t be getting it as easy as last time. And I don’t think any of the other horses are going super.
“It comes down to a two-horse race and we just need an ounce of luck.”
Captain Nemo, by Captaintreacherous out of Arden Caviar, is chasing his seventh win for Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street, Gareth Paddison, the Green Machine Syndicate, Grant Dickey, Peter Dougherty and Ian Middleton.
Captain Nemo races at 8.30pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
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Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Cambridge
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
5.55pm
“The race never panned out for him on debut, he got too far back from a second row draw, but we’ve got the gun draw and gun driver (Zachary Butcher) on this time. He can run off the gate a bit so I don’t see why he can’t lead. I’d like to think he’s a chance to get some money. He’s been trialling and working well.”
Ray’s tips
Thursday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.41pm
“He missed four or five days work with an abscess in his foot when he came back from Manawatu so he could be a bit short.”
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.41pm
“She doesn’t handle the bends so well the Auckland way and is just going round to lose points. She’s been crucified by the handicapping system.”
Race 2: What’s Up The Hill
6.06pm
“He’s not the finished article yet but he’s slowly getting the hang of it. There are nicer horses in the race than the ones he raced against at Manawatu so I’Il be happy if he can just do everything right and run a slot.”
Race 3: Onyx Shard
6.31pm
“She won from a wide draw last time at Manawatu but this is a slightly harder field. She keeps drawing badly and the outside gate might inconvenience her again.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.22pm
“He got pushed out down the back last time because he couldn’t keep up. We had big aspirations for him but it looks like he isn’t as good as we thought. Nothing can beat Marketplace.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
7.54pm
“I’m sure she’s up to them when she’s right but she’s had her setbacks recently. First she tied up and then she kicked out at something and bruised a foot. She’s right now but that will render her not 100% fit.”
Race 9: Lincoln La Moose
9.36pm
“He went good races at Palmy but he pulled far too hard here last time. It was a better run than it looks on paper though as he couldn’t get a run at them in the straight. He’s probably on his mark now and will need a bit of luck.”
