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.
More news in Harness
The dream’s alive but Nate tells why he’ll wait for ‘Harry’ before racing Eric again
Ray gives reformed Rascal his ‘most likely to succeed’ report from the pole on Friday night
Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
