Wide alley hoodoo and Queensland’s big wet conspire against Argyle and Nemo
By Barry Lichter • 19 January 2024
Don’t expect Argyle and Captain Nemo to feature at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Trainer Mark Dux says not only will wide draws again minimise their chances but the continuous wet weather has also hampered their preparation.
“I planned to train Argyle twice this week but only did once. We’ve had storms nearly every night and had that much rain, it’s left surface water on the track.
“We’re right on the coast and get all the coastal rain. It’s been horrendous and the humidity today was an absolute shocker.
“You walk and you sweat. The horses are feeling it too. It definitely knocks some of them around.
“I raced one yesterday and had to hose her five times during the day. You’re forever trying to keep them cool.”
Dux says Argyle has so many things against him in the opening race on Saturday night he’ll have to be driven conservatively, unlike his last start, when he powered forward and sat parked throughout for a close third.
“If he’d been racing week in and week out, I wouldn’t have been frightened to put him in the race. I’m happy enough with him but it’s his first for six weeks so he’s not at his best.”
Dux was forced to back off Argyle in mid-December to allow him time to recover from an infection in his foot.
“He’s fine again now but we’ll drive him quietly, go back and hope for a little luck.
“It’s a good, strong field and he doesn’t need to be ripping round them in his first run back. He’ll be relying on how hard they go.”
Captain Nemo again draws the outside of the gate in the eighth race.
“I’ve lost count of how many times he’s drawn badly. The ones inside him have all got gate speed so we’ll drive him quietly early too. He can’t be three and four wide when they’re running a 27 quarter.
“He’ll come out steady and then we’ll play it by ear. I’m confident he’ll race well - he trained well this week - and at some stage I’m sure Angus (Garrard) will try to make his own luck.”
Argyle races at 8.43pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Captain Nemo races at 12.19am NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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.”
