50-to-one? You’ve got to be kidding! Bondi Shake can rattle the Aussie bookies today
By Barry Lichter • 25 May 2021
For a horse who looked a certainty beaten at his last start, trainer Al Barnes can hardly believe that most Australian bookies have Bondi Shake at 50-to-one today.
Lincoln Farms’ improver lines up in the fifth race at Albion Park, with a strong chance of leading from three on the gate.
And if you saw his last-start fourth at Albion Park, when he was badly held up from the 400 metres to the turn, you’d share Barnes’ confidence that he’s outstanding value at those odds.
Bondi Shake was having just his second run back from a spell on May 18 and Barnes thought he’d be well underdone.
So you can imagine how surprised he was when after being burned out of the gate, then trailing the leader, the three-year-old was busting for an out when Coppice started dying in his face more than 400 metres from home.
Bondi Shake powers home up the inside last start.Driver Hayden Barnes wasn’t able to extricate the horse until after turning for home and he powered home to be beaten only 3.2 metres in fourth.
“Hayden said he would have won had he not been dragged back. Coppice normally doesn’t stop like that and I was surprised he held us out at the start.
“I don’t know how much gate speed the one and two horses have got today but our horse is pretty quick out.
“Hayden has options from three but his modus operandi is to go forward and have a look for 100 metres. He’ll put his foot down and have a crack and hopefully lead.
“The horse has been brilliant through the week. I fast worked him myself and he felt great.
“I’m confident he’s ready to do something today. There’s nothing in there he can’t beat.”
Bondi Shake has opened on the New Zealand TAB at $51 to win and $8 to place.
Most Aussie betting agencies have Bondi Shake at $51
Bondi Shake races at 6.07pm NZ time at Albion Park today.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln LInda
5.14pm
“The fillies she raced against in the Sires’ Stakes Semi were the best around so this is a massive drop in class for her. I imagine Fergie will work his way forward, as she’s best in front, and then she’d become the one to beat.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
5.16pm
“The draw helps as he likes being in front. The raw ability is there but from time to time he’s reluctant to show it. But that last start was a vast improvement.”
Race 1: Colonel Lincoln
5.16pm
“He was definitely in need of the run first-up and will benefit from another. He’s been off the scene for a long time.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.08pm
“He did well second-up, peeling off a 55.1 half. He’s been a slow maturer but I think he’s getting stronger as he gets older - he certainly feels much stronger in his work.”
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.08pm
“The Cambridge race has brought him on and I’m sure he’ll go well again, but he won’t be butchered a week out from the Derby. I don’t want to get carried away but he’s a pretty good horse, the best of our three in the race. He’s a year younger than Suger Ray but has a bit more ability. It’s hard to know where he’ll take us but he has the potential to be a classic colt.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.08pm
“He’s in the zone, he’s feeling really great, and he won’t go badly. But he’ll need luck from the draw.”
Race 9: Spiritual Bliss
9.04pm
“She’s racing better horses now and has done well to cop getting parked in some hard-run races. Leading is her go and she’ll get her chance from the inside draw.”
Race 10: Rivergirl Bella
9.36pm
“She has got a bit of speed but she can’t carry it very far. But if she gets the right trip, and gets out at the right time, not too soon, she’s always a chance.”
Race 10: Jessie Lincoln
9.36pm
“Harry blamed himself for the horse breaking at the start at Cambridge - he said he asked her to go a bit too quickly off the gate. She shouldn’t do it again. She’ll hold her own here, I’m sure.”
Race 10: Marylynes Boy
9.36pm
“He’s been training well but he’s only a little colt having his first start and from the second row I think Nathan will be happy to just see him get around safely.”
