Bondi Shake has Blue Shard and Coppice well covered at the finish at Albion Park on Tuesday. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Front-running displays land Bondi Shake a winner and Larry Lincoln a fine second
By Barry Lichter • 22 December 2020
Trainer Al Barnes loved the report he got from his driver son Hayden after Bondi Shake delivered at Albion Park today.
“Hayden said he’s a hard horse to get past when he’s in front - he’s tough and he wants to win.”
That summed up beautifully the horse’s front-running performance when he reeled of his closing 800 metres in 56.3 and 400 in 27.9 to beat Blue Shard by 2.3 metres.
“I like that he’s developing a bit of gate speed too,” Barnes said. “He’s pacing well and starting to put it all together.
“He travelled a lot stronger in front today. He’s still got a lot to learn on how to be a racehorse but he’ll keep improving.”
Barnes says Bondi Shake will have one more start as a two-year-old - the season which was extended because of Covid-19 is due to end in the New Year.
“He’ll be in three-year-old class racing in the new year but he’s racing them now anyway. He was a rating 35 today in a 35 to 51 class today so he stepped up and won anyway.”
The win took Bondi Shake’s record to two wins, two seconds and a fourth in only five starts since being sent to Brisbane for earnings of A$12,324. His New Zealand record was a poor two placings from 11 starts.
Bondi Shake is raced by Lincoln Farms’ John and Lynne Street and a big group of partners including Bob Best, Merle Gradwell, Pat Gubb, Lance Myocevich, Steve Beckett, Kevin Bell, the Joeraeme Syndicate, Margaret Rabbitt and the Athenry Syndicate.
The well regarded Ranger Bomb grabs Larry Lincoln late in the stretch at Albion Park today.Larry Lincoln showed another string to his bow when he led the following race and succumbed only in the last few metres to the hot $1.60 favourite Ranger Bomb.
“Hayden was rapt with his gate speed. We haven’t asked him for it lately but it’s nice to see him use it and still get home.”
Larry Lincoln couldn’t finish off his races initially after doing early work but Barnes says he’s growing in stature as he gets more confidence.
“Hayden said he really settled well today and he ripped home the last quarter. He couldn’t do much more, running home in 26.2.
“The winner is being set for the Chariots Of Fire so it’s no disgrace being beaten by him.”
The Craig Cross-trained Ranger Bomb was clocked to run the 1660 metres in 1:57.9, a mile rate of 1:54.3 and Larry Lincoln was just 1.4 metres behind at the post, the final 800 metres in 55.6.
Man Of Action, who weakened from the trail to seventh, is tired, says Barnes, and will go for a break.
More news in Harness
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?
Shunt and tangled tail hamper our Johnny - why he can win Friday’s Lincoln Farms Pace
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
“She 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.”
