Al looking for good showing from Bondi Shake in Queensland opener on Tuesday
By Barry Lichter • 16 November 2020
Newcomer to Queensland Bondi Shake will be improved for his trial last week and, while a work in progress, can still run in the top three at Albion Park on Tuesday night.
Trainer Al Barnes says he will learn more about the horse from how he copes in his Brisbane debut but Lincoln Farms’ latest import has already shown enough ability to be competitive.
Bondi Shake was quite fresh when third in his 1660 metre trial last Tuesday, late joining the score-up for Hayden Barnes and settling in the rear.
The gelding found a distant one-one possie at the bell and made up nice ground late on the leaders who ripped home in 55.8 and 28.1 to record a 1:56.4 mile rate.
“He wasn’t pacing the greatest and Hayden held him back a little because he wanted to chase. He just kept him balanced to get his confidence up.
“The horse has enough ability but he’s not the greatest gaited, like a lot of the Somebeachsomewheres.
“But he’ll keep improving and, while there are a couple of handy ones in against him, he can run top three from the draw.”
Bondi Shake, who last raced three weeks ago at Cambridge, is raced by Lincoln Farms and a big team of partners including Bob Best, Merle Gradwell, Pat Gubb, Lance Myocevich, Steve Beckett, Kevin Bell, Margaret Rabbitt, the Joeraeme Syndicate and Athenry Syndicate.
He ran two placings from 11 starts in New Zealand, throwing away a win at Cambridge two starts back when breaking as he was about to hit the lead close to home.
Barnes is hoping he can reward his owners in the next couple of months as he is still classed as a two-year-old in Australia until the end of the year and gets in on a very low rating of 31.
Man Of Action will be hard to beat from the front. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Man Of Action and Larry Lincoln clash in the seventh race on Tuesday night, drawn nicely in gates two and four.
And while Larry Lincoln notched a hat-trick of wins last week with a dazzling show of speed, Barnes says if he had to single one out he’d plump for Man Of Action who has been in the money in five of his seven starts in Brisbane.
“Man Of Action will lead and he’ll be hard to catch. He’s tough and is always in for a fight.
“It will depend on the tempo but if he can run 1:53 or 1:54 in front, and make it a staying test, it will take a good one to beat him.
“The one thing he can’t beat is one zipping home late down the outside and Larry could be that one.
“He can sit on any pace and, if he can be saved for one run, he’s lethal. But it will depend on what kind of trip he gets.”
Barnes says the field looks quite even, with lots of form, but he could see his pair running one-two with the right trips.
Bondi Shake races at 4.37pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
Man Of Action and Larry Lincoln race at 7.37pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
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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.”
