Young gun Garrard finally gets a good draw with unlucky Captain Nemo on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 26 January 2024
Captain Nemo, who looked a certainty beaten in his last start, finally lands a good draw at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Young gun driver Angus Garrard’s first words to trainer Mark Dux on bringing Captain Nemo back last Saturday night were that the horse should have won, and won easily.
Taken back from five on the gate, Nemo ended up four deep on the markers and was full of running when Garrard eased him into the running line just before the home turn.
But there was no way through for Garrard up the entire home straight and for the last 100 metres he had the horse under a hold, hard on the backs of the first two home.
Angus Garrard drove his 700th winner at Redcliffe on Thursday night. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Garrard, 20, who notched his 500th winner on Captain Nemo in December, 2022 and on Thursday reined home win No. 700, has a much kinder draw of two this week from where Dux expects him to either lead or, more likely trail.
“We should cross the one (Blackjack Bart) and whether we hold will depend on how fast Parama comes out. He won well the other day.”
Dux believes Nemo is in the top three chances but rates Red Right Hand the one to beat.
“He’s been flying and, like us, hasn’t had much luck. And he’s down in grade. If we get behind one of those two we’ll get a nice trip.
“We could even hold the lead if they don’t charge out. At least we have a couple of options.”
Dux says Captain Nemo has done well since his race last week and he believes he has most of the others covered over the 2138 metres in what is a good band 5 event.
Dux says he’ll be surprised if Argyle doesn’t go well too in the fifth race, despite drawing three on the second row.
Driven conservatively last week in his first run for six weeks, when well short of a run, Argyle finished only eighth but still clocked excellent figures.
His sectionals of 30.28, 30.94, 27.54 and 27.56 nearly matched those of the winner Catseye Beach (30.45, 30.94, 27.71 and 27.23), his last half of 55.1 little inferior to the winner’s 54.94.
Given Catseye Beach was in front and on the markers, Argyle’s effort was solid as he covered 21 metres more in the running.
“He pulled up well and I think he’s a good hope. The alley’s not so nice but if we have to use him at some stage to put him in the race, we probably will.
“If he’d drawn well you’d think he was a winner but I still think he’ll finish thereabouts and is a top three chance. The harder they go, the better for us, and I can see Pete McMullen launching on Jaccka Wally.”
Captain Nemo races at 9.45pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Argyle races at 10.50pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
4.42pm
“I’m not holding my breath with him. We won’t count that last run, when the leader went ballistic and he couldn’t get into the race, but he’s not well placed here.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.09pm
“She’s racing really well and this looks a bit easier than last time when she was trapped in the breeze in a strong field. I can’t see how she won’t be right in the fight.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
7.34pm
“I didn’t know what to expect on debut but she was very brave. I’m picking she’ll go well again but she’ll need a bit of luck - drawn the second line we’re at the mercy of others. We’ll poke her out and see. At least she won’t get parked this time.”
Race 10: Lincoln Wave
9.07pm
“We’re racing the best horses now but he’ll definitely go better than last time. Tony (Herlihy) said he felt super across the top but once in the straight he flattened out, which I half expected. I had him scoped afterwards just to make sure he was all right but he was short of a run, that’s all.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
9.07pm
“He went super when third last week and Fergie said just wait ’til he gets over 2700 metres, he’ll be a monster. He’s turned into a proper racehorse. From four there’ll be a bit of urgency early and hopefully he can get a suck along and get some of it.”
