Argyle, outer, just misses after a brave run sitting parked at Albion Park last week.
Tough draws and tough fields make it hard for Captain Nemo and Argyle on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 28 April 2023
Captain Nemo still has the knife hanging over his head but on Saturday night in a tough field, from a tough draw, trainer Mark Dux won’t be condemning him if he fails.
And neither will Dux slate Argyle if he doesn’t get a go in his race at Albion Park given he has also drawn to need a lot of luck.
Dux says it’s a shame both horses look to have very difficult tasks, given how well they raced at their last starts.
Captain Nemo staved off being gelded when he came from last with a big late run to be pipped just a metre, and Argyle put his previous shocking run behind him with a gutsy second, denied by just a head.
Dux says from three on the second row this week, Angus Garrard will drive Captain Nemo cold again.
“They did go hard early last time, which suited him, but we’ll drive him quietly again and let him run home, that’s all we can do.
“I know you can’t win from the back but we can’t launch all the time, we’ve got to pick our race.
“He’s got nothing going for him on Saturday but I still think he’ll race well as he came through the run well and his work has been good. But he’ll need a lot of luck.”
Dux says the question of whether to geld Captain Nemo is always in the back of his mind but he should escape execution this week.
Argyle, who is handicapped by the inside second row draw in the seventh race, thrilled Dux with his turnaround in form last week.
Three wide to the death early, Argyle fought bravely in the stretch, topped off late only by the horse who had enjoyed a perfect trail.
“He had to do a bit of work but he pulled up super, the best ever. He blew for ages after his previous race (when Dux believes he cut off his wind) but it was like chalk and cheese last week. Within 20 minutes you wouldn’t have known he’d raced.
“It’s a tougher field this week but I’m not worried about dropping back to the shorter trip (1660m). We’ll just have to drive him for luck, follow through, play it by ear, and hope the splits come when we need them.
“You can’t drag all the way back and try to get to the outside. I’ve done that before and afterwards thought ‘that was a bad thing to do’.
“You never know, we might get off the fence and be able to work into the race.”
Dux reports Tommy Lincoln is having a 10-day freshener after his scheduled race this week again didn’t go ahead.
“He’s not tired, he doesn’t feel tired, but he’s been up a long time and a wee break won’t hurt him.
“He’ll be back in work next week.”
Captain Nemo races at 8.10pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Argyle races at 10.10pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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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.
