Hayden Barnes had to nurse Bondi Shake during his first win two weeks ago. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Al’s warning on Bondi Shake at Albion Park tonight - he’s a victim of poor programming
By Barry Lichter • 1 December 2020
Bondi Shake might have looked good winning his Queensland debut but he will find it very hard to repeat the feat at Albion Park tonight.
Even though he has drawn nicely in three, Lincoln Farms’ newest arrival faces a field of older and much more seasoned pacers in the seventh race at 6.22pm NZ time.
And trainer Al Barnes is not happy that he has to even run the horse in such an unsuitable race, also stepping up from 1660 metres to 2138 metres.
“It’s a hard field and a major step-up in grade for him. But there’s nothing else programmed for a one win two-year-old and I’ll be lucky to find even one race that suits him before the end of the year.
“The only other two-year-old races are $25,000 features were they’ll go 1:53 and he’s not ready to do that.”
Barnes had been hoping to put together a three or four race winning streak with Bondi Shake who, under a Covid-19 season extension, can compete in two-year-old races until the end of the year, even though he is officially three in New Zealand.
“Two months ago there were plenty of races but all the handicappers here seem to want to do now is put on maiden races to help people win their bonuses.” Qbred paid-up horses earn a A$10,000 bonus for winning their first race.
“I can’t be the only one with a one win two-year-old. I’ve spoken to them about it but it’s fallen on deaf ears.
“They’ll put races on at Redcliffe where you race for no (low) money but not at Albion Park, the premier track.”
Barnes says while Bondi Shake appeared to win his first race two weeks ago untested, after a tough run, three wide to the death seat, he is still very much a work in progress.
“He’s green and we have to cuddle him. Hayden had to nurse home out of the gate and through the run last time. We can’t turn the stick and cut him loose yet and these are seasoned horses who can run 1:54 or 1:55 comfortably.
“This will be a fitness run for him.”
Man Of Action, back from a brief freshener, has drawn the second row in the eighth race at 7.03pm NZ time but Barnes isn’t too worried about that.
“It’s a nice race for him. He might be buried three deep on the fence but that’s not a bad thing - he will be strong home.
“If he’d had a draw and could have sat behind the leader he’d have been a good thing but he’ll need a bit of luck from the second row.
“He’s still a top three chance but he can win it if he gets luck. It’s a very even bunch but he’s the up-and-comer in the race. He has a bit of upside to him.”
Bondi Shake races at 6.22pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday night.
Man Of Action races at 7.03pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday night.
More news in Harness
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Ray tells why he rates Lincoln Lou clearly best of Lincoln Farms’ quartet in the fourth race
It’s all up to Angus - Brisbane’s young gun needs to drive a pearler on Nemo at Redcliffe
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Mark Dux’s comments
Wednesday night at Redcliffe
Race 1: Captain Nemo
7.17pm NZ time
“It’s a reasonable field, they’re not push-overs, but they’re all beatable. It will all come down to who gets the right trip. If we have something go our way we could get some of it as there’s not a lot between them and I don’t think he’s far off now. We’ve got a bad draw again and there’s a bit of speed inside us so I’ll tell Angus to just play it by ear.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln La Moose
7.32pm
“He’s a pretty good horse. He was still below his best last time at Cambridge - he needed the race - but went very well for second behind King’s Watch. With his ace draw, he should be right up there for Zac (Butcher). He always looked a bit delicate but he’s got tougher.”
Race 4: Obadiah Dragon
7.32pm
“He’ll go a good race but our others look better here. His last run was below par for him so we took a blood off him and he had a bit of a virus going on. He was at the tail end of it but it was enough to stop him.”
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.32pm
“Even if he’s half a run short, I don’t think it will matter, he’ll still be too good for this lot. He only had a mild virus which came right with treatment and he’s trained on well since. He feels pretty good and if I was betting man, I’d bet him for sure based on his last run, which was massive.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.32pm
“He’s in a ‘coming of age’ phase. He rushed up beside them last start and wanted to lay all over them and give them a hug. But that’s normal coltish behaviour. He does that in training as well, rushes up and switches off. He has a lot of ability but also a few little behaviour traits that we need to get on top of.”
Race 6: My Copy
8.24pm
“It won’t be easy from four on the second row but he’s very honest and, if opportunity knocks, he’ll be right there. If he gets a trip, he’s always ready to pounce.”
Race 9: Tyson
9.39pm
“He should be one of the favourites. The raw ability is there and he’ll definitely win races as he has a bit of speed. How far he will take us we have yet to find out but I thought he did really well last time given the run he had.”
