Bondi Shake rattles home and rolls Redcliffe field for deserved and overdue win
By Barry Lichter • 28 July 2021
Bondi Shake broke a five month drought when he powered home from well back in the field to score at Redcliffe tonight.
Confidently tipped pre-race by trainer Al Barnes, because he was against a mediocre field, Bondi Shake was backed in from $5.50 to $3 but looked to have the job ahead of him when driver Hayden Barnes was forced to go back to the rear from a wide draw.
The three-year-old, narrowly beaten at his last start, was still back, three wide with cover, coming to the home turn when Barnes switched out four wide, giving the leaders a big start.
But Bondi Shake ran right up to Al Barnes’ rap, mounting a big sprint and reeling in his rivals to beat the favourite Rainbow Jet by 1.5 metres, going away.
While the horse had 14 misses beside his name since his last win in February, Barnes said the horse had endured a shocking run of bad luck since returning from a spell.
“He’s been racing well for some time now with no luck and he was just too good for that field tonight.”
The win, Bondi Shake’s fourth in 38 starts, was cut out in a 2:00 mile rate, with closing sectionals of 58.6 and 29.8.
A son of the ill-fated Somebeachsomewhere, he is raced by a big team comprising Lincoln Farms owners John and Lynne Street, Auckland Trotting Club steward Pat Gubb, Bob Best, Merle Gradwell, Lance Myocevich, Steve Beckett, Kevin Bell, the Joeraeme Syndicate, Margaret Rabbitt and the Athenry Syndicate.
His form earlier in the year was shipwrecked by a nasty foot abscess but Barnes hopes he will now start to build a consistent record.
Bondi Shake, second from left, comes four wide round the turn before unleashing a big sprint.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Sammy Lincoln
5.48pm
“Sammy Lincoln has a bit more speed than Lincoln Wave - he’s very fast for a big, rangy horse - but he might be vulnerable on Friday - he could experience difficulty on the corners going right-handed. He won’t be a maiden for long.”
Race 2: Lincoln Wave
5.48pm
“I’d say he’d be the more reliable of our two. He was clearly our best two-year-old before he got injured and we’ve waited a long time for him. He’s a powerful colt and should have a bright future.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.13pm
“The seven draw is a bit awkward but he’s trained on really well since Cambridge and I’m picking he’ll go really well.”
Race 8: Tyson
8.38pm
“He had a week off after his last run at Auckland, but I don’t think he’ll be short of a run. He’ll come back into the fray as tough as ever.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.38pm
“She was incredibly unlucky at Cambridge. The gap opened up for Harrison, he tried to push through, then it closed on him. If she led, she’d be the one to beat. She’s a nice mare and she’s pretty tough, she doesn’t give it up.”
Ray’s comments
Monday at Taupo
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
11.55am
“She’s been held up from awkward draws lately but gets the inside on Monday. She has limited ability but is racing really well and there are no superstars in the field. I think she’ll be fine on the grass as she’s good-gaited and wears no boots. She tries very hard and looks to have a decent show.”
Race 7: Lincoln Lover
2.17pm
“He’s the consummate tradesman, reliable and honest and deserves a win. He was only beaten by the passing lane runner last time after sitting parked for the last lap. He’s drawn to lead here and if he does that he’ll be hard to beat.”
