Captain Nemo, outer, rallies bravely last week to just go under.
Second row draws make it tricky on Saturday night but Nemo and Argyle are in great trim
By Barry Lichter • 2 February 2024
Argyle and Captain Nemo both went close to winning at Albion Park last week but second row draws on Saturday night could consign them to collecting only place money again this week.
Argyle’s effort to run second to $151 outsider Murphy’s Reward last Saturday thrilled trainer Mark Dux after he launched on a solo three wide run from the back and came up only half a neck short with a 55.44 last half.
And Captain Nemo was also right at the top of his game, rallying bravely in the run home to finish just 4.4 metres and half a head from the winner Windy Hill Wally after being given a sweet one-out-two-back trip by gun junior Angus Garrard.
Dux fancies Nemo as the better winning chance this week but says whether he can break through in the fourth race will be determined by the tactics employed by the driver of the pole horse Stormtide, whom he follows out.
“The one horse has gate speed, if they want to use it, and if he leads that would be perfect for us. But I’ve got the feeling he will hand up, because they did that on Tuesday and he ran a good second.
“If they take a trail, it puts us three fence, which is still a winnable spot, but we’ll need the leaders to go strong and we’ll have to get the run at the right time.”
Dux expects Nemo to run top three but says he’s primed to win as soon as he gets the right trip.
“He just kept coming last week - he doesn’t give up very often - and Angus thought he could have won had another horse not take the inside run he was aiming for.”
Dux doesn’t believe his other runner Key Largo can beat Nemo the way the pair worked this week.
“It’s his first run back for a little while and he’s a weird horse. He can run, and he’s won nearly $200,000, but he doesn’t always go as well as he should.”
Argyle (10) sustains a long run to just miss.Top three
One race earlier, Argyle also looks a top three chance and Dux says he’ll be driven conservatively to earn the biggest cheque possible.
The way the race sets up, Dux says pole runner So Sirius should lead and OK Boomer, behind him on the gate, should trail, which is why they’ll start favourites.
“Argyle will find it hard to win from two the second row but if we go straight to the fence he’s a good chance to run top three. We just have to hope they go hard the last half so the ones out wide get off the bit.
“If he stays in the running line, and they go slow, he’s no hope as he’s against pretty decent horses.
“I reckon they kept So Sirius for this race as it’s a $21,000 stake, and he’s been lucky enough to draw one. He ran second last time and sat outside the leader.
“I’m sure he’ll be trying to lead but the one who could upset things is Jaccka Wally, who has a lot of gate speed. He could charge out and cross but he can do things wrong and the driver couldn’t chase him out the other day because he put in a few funny steps.”
Argyle will be handled by a new driver in Trent Dawson with Garrard sticking to Bangkok Deejay, winner of his last three starts.
“Bangkok Deejay can win again depending on how the race is run. But if So Sirius leads and backs off the pace, he probably can’t beat him.”
Argyle races at 9.50pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Captain Nemo races at 10.22pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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The Lincoln Wave secret is well and truly out now, but who was that mystery underbidder?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.26pm
“She had to sit parked most of the way last time but still went well, and that’s what she does. She’s proven to be a very promising filly and, while it’s hard these days to win without a good trip, it’s an even field and she’s a good chance again.”
Race 2: Lincoln Lou
5.55pm
“He probably cost himself a win last week by going roughly, but he can do that. If he’d got Frisco Bay’s trip he would have won with his closing quarters of 56 and 27 the fastest in the race. He’s just got to do things right to be the one to beat, even from the bad draw, as it’s an easier field.”
Race 5: Frisco Bay
7.30pm
“He’s up in grade a bit but I don’t think there’s anything between them. He’s just got to get the right run and, with his speed, he’ll be right in it.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.59pm
“He’s no superstar but he’s very honest and he’s always a place chance as he’s a tough bugger, he sat parked last week.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.59pm
“With a similar run to last week, he’d be right in it. He clocked 55.8 and 27.7, doing his best work at the finish. He hasn’t gone a bad race since he’s come back.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.59pm
“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything on debut as he’s a green, young horse. But he went very well so he’s obviously lifted his game for the occasion. And he’s trained on even better so the experience has enhanced him. From the inside he has to be a good chance.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.59pm
“She’s definitely a better animal left-handed but she was passable right-handed and should go better this time. She’s got some speed.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.59pm
“She’s a nice filly but is behind the others. I don’t expect her to beat anything but she needs the experience.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.59pm
“There won’t be any shadows for her to jump this time so she has to be a serious chance. She’d been dominant at the workouts and trials before her debut but didn’t get the chance to show her true worth.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.59pm
“Fergie was quite impressed with him on debut and requested the drive again. He finished on strongly up the lane and should go well again. He just needs some luck from the outside of the gate.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 3: Argyle
9.04pm NZ time
“I thought his last two starts have been terrific. There’s no doubt this race is tougher, and he has trickier draw, but I was talking to Angus last night and he was quite upbeat about his chances. He said the horse gave him a good feel when he sat parked two starts back and he picked him too (in the draft). But it won’t be easy. There could be a bit of pressure early. I think he’ll come out and see what unfolds and, if there is too much pressure, he’ll drive him quietly.”
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: Onyx Shard
5.29pm
“You can put a line through her last run at Cambridge when she pulled up showing signs of a respiratory infection. She had a couple of weeks off after that and, while she hasn’t trialled since, she’s been training down nicely. She’s a nice filly and from the good draw should really win.”
Race 3: Lincoln La Moose
6.19pm
“He wasn’t far away in the amateur race at Auckland last time despite jumping a shadow early and galloping. This is a decent drop in class for him and he should be very competitive.
