Bondi Shake set to go the way of Larry - all the way to the United States
By Barry Lichter • 11 August 2021
The imminent American race debut of former Lincoln Farms’ pacer Larry Lincoln is likely to help finance the sale of another horse - tonight’s hat-trick winning pacer Bondi Shake.
Marburg trainer Al Barnes, who won eight races with Larry Lincoln before his sale in March, says Bondi Shake is all but sold to the same New Jersey stable - that of trainer-driver Austin Siegelman.
“Austin is dead keen and just wants a little time to earn a few cheques. They love Larry and he’s all ready to race after qualifying last week in 1:53.”
The Siegelman-Leah Posner combination has already enjoyed plenty of success with former Lincoln Farms’ iron horse Vasari and can’t get enough of the horses in Lincoln green.
Barnes says Bondi Shake is the perfect horse for American racing.
“He’s honest, very similar to Billy Lincoln, clean gaited, and he can lead or come from behind.”
It was every post a winner tonight at Redcliffe as Brendan Barnes shot Bondi Shake straight to the front and repeated his win of last week down to one tenth of a second.
Brendan Barnes … “when they got to him he took off again.”And while a dashing late close from Flo Ryda cut the winning margin to a neck, the result was never really in doubt.
“Brendan said he switched off a little late but when they got to him he took off again.”
Barnes, who was confident of a winning run tonight, says Bondi Shake is right back to his best after shrugging off soreness issues and bolted away from the field in the back straight with a 28.4 third quarter.
“He wants to do it again and should continue with the good form.”
Barnes is now in a dilemma over whether to keep racing at Redcliffe, where he has won $2866 three weeks in a row, or to move to Albion Park to chase bigger stakes.
“It might be a smarter move to stay at Redcliffe. He’s won six races now and is a 58 rater but with our three-year-old concession of five points he can race in a 50 to 53 race next week, basically the same grade.”
Bondi Shake, who paid $2 on the New Zealand tote, got home in 28.8 for a mile rate of 1:58.3 over the 1780 metres.
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Les Harding
Monday at Globe Derby
Race 6: Beaudiene Rocknroll
6.34pm NZ time
This race will tell us how he measures up against the local horses. We decided to go for this lower graded race, despite having lower prize money, instead of going to the trials one more time. He won the second of two trials on April 21, beating race rival Hezrockinroyalty by four metres. Run over 2230 metres he clocked 57.7 for his last half and 1:59.7 for his last mile. From the pole he’ll start short and be hard to beat.
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 7: Lincoln Lou
8.25pm
“He’s a beautiful little horse who doesn’t do anything wrong. He got held up at a crucial time last week and got home well (for sixth). He gets out pretty well so should get a good trip from two. He’ll go his usual honest race. He’s improving all the time, he’s a gutsy little guy, but whether he can measure up to the favourites remains to be seen.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.25pm
“He’s a work in progress and we’re still dabbling with his gear. He’s actually a naturally good-gaited horse, like all the American Ideals, but he’s going through a stage of not really knowing why he’s out there. You just don’t know when he’ll click but three is an ideal draw for him and he should be handy if he does things right.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
9.20pm
“He’s an under-rated horse, as good as those others who are higher rated. He’s proving to be a tidy horse and, while he’s not viewed as a serious player by some, I think he is. He was closing off really well last week behind Hugotastic.”
