Bondi will give it a real Shake from the pole on Tuesday and Larry’s a terrific chance too
By Barry Lichter • 21 December 2020
Improving pacer Bondi Shake has drawn to lead and win at Albion Park on Tuesday.
Trainer Al Barnes was delighted when the Somebeachsomewhere gelding drew the pole for the fifth race after his excellent placing last week from the second row.
Bondi Shake followed the pacemaking ex-Kiwi Boomchuckalucka all the way last week and never flinched on his challenge up the straight, despite having missed a couple of day’s work through flooding.
Bondi Shake, who is still officially two until the end of the month, clocked 55.08 for his closing 800 metres and 27.68 for his last 400, with the mile rate a good 1:55.4.
“I was really happy with him, he kept trying, and he’s improving all the time.
“It’s a nice field but I don’t think they’ll beat him in front.”
Larry Lincoln …”airborne”Barnes is also expecting Larry Lincoln and Man Of Action to go well in the following race, drawn the two inside spots.
Larry Lincoln was particularly impressive at his last start when he swept up four wide on the home turn and was right in the fight up the straight, finishing a close fourth.
“He’s airborne at the moment and from two will put himself right in it and be very hard to beat.
“Man Of Action should also be in the money from the inside draw.”
The likely favourite is the Craig Cross-trained Ranger Bomb but he has drawn the outside of the gate.
Bondi Shake races at 5.33pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
Man Of Action and Larry Lincoln race at 6.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
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Ray: Sammy Lincoln has ‘turned the corner’ and can go on with it on Friday night
Wide draws to overcome but Spirit Of God and Jessie Lincoln should both be competitive
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Spirit Of God
5.44pm
“She’s definitely a chance as she has enough speed. The raw ability is there and I’m sure she’s as good as any of them ability wise. You can forget she went round at Auckland last week as she locked wheels 600 out.”
Race 1: Jessie Lincoln
5.44pm
“There’s not a lot between her and Spirit Of God. The other filly is probably a bit fitter than Jessie but she worked well today and I think she’ll be very competitive. It depends on what sort of run she gets (from eight).”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
7.39pm
“I can’t label her as a betting proposition from the draw, and in a tougher field, but you can never discount her as you know she’ll put herself in the race. You saw what she did last week - it doesn’t matter where she draws, she’ll launch.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Marylynes Boy
5.56pm
“Last week’s run was a non-event but he went well on debut. He’d have to be a shot, drawn the inside.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.57pm
“It’s a shame he hasn’t had more economical trips - he’s had some tough runs - and keeps going good races. He should go well again.”
Race 4: Lincoln Wave
6.57pm
“He burned himself out early in the derby. There was no race for him last week but he’s training well and should be right in it. His best races have been on the front end.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.56pm
“She’s got the draw and will lead out but she’s no match for Sammy Lincoln and looks better placed at Cambridge.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.56pm
“I think he’s turned the corner and can go on with the job. He will have gained a lot in confidence from last week’s win. We haven’t really tried him out of the gate but he’s a good horse who is improving all the time.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.56pm
“He pulled too hard when caught back on the markers last week. He’s got the same inside second row draw so we’ve taken the blinds off or he’d over-race again. When he draws a (good) gate we’ll put them back on again. Obviously he’s best on the front end.”
