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
Consisent little Lincoln Lou sold to Western Australia to join fellow ex-Kiwis
Kevin Kline caps record day for Casey and loyal Lincoln Farms’ team - and can repeat
It’s bon voyage Frisky as Ray celebrates another rags to riches sale success
Huge disappointment for Lincoln Farms as exciting Colonel Lincoln bows out again
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.44pm
“Fergie’s drive on Sunday was perfect, you couldn’t ask for better, and he said the horse was doing his best work in the last 50 metres. Maybe with another 100 metres he might have got there. His gate speed is only OK so I can see him getting crossed here.”
Race 5: Kevin Kline
6.19pm
“Fergie said he did it easily on the first day, and the horse only did what he had to. He’s been racing much nicer horses at Auckland so it was good to get the win, hopefully it will boost his confidence. I’ll leave the tactics up to Fergie but I imagine he’ll probably do the same thing again, loop the field and outstay them.”
Race 6: Onyx Shard
6.54pm
“I was hoping she’d drop down a grade. She’s had some tough trips recently, having to do a lot of work, and it didn’t help being three wide for the last lap on the first day. Also they only walked and sprinted home. She could be better coming with one run at them.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Lover
5.33pm
“He had no chance last start when trapped three wide all the way. That won’t happen this time from the inside draw so that gives him a chance to get some of it.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.33pm
“He’s shown no gate speed so the wide draw doesn’t matter. He’s coming along all right but will need lots of luck against the hot pots.”
Race 5: Debbie Lincoln
6.54pm
“She seems to have overcome her tying-up issue, her bloods are good, and she’s training well again. She could possibly be underdone and the seven draw makes it very hard.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lou
7.20pm
Scratched. Sold to Western Australia.
