Bondi Shake has been way too good for his Redcliffe rivals in his last two starts. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Full of confidence, Bondi Shake spearheads Al’s leaders at Redcliffe this week
By Barry Lichter • 10 August 2021
With all three of his runners drawn to lead, Marburg trainer Al Barnes is hoping he can keep his good strike rate going for Lincoln Farms at Redcliffe this week.
Barnes scored wins with Bondi Shake and Franco Nandor last week, supplemented by a placing with Brian Christopher, and lines up all three horses again.
First cab off the rank on Wednesday night is Bondi Shake whose form has completely turned around now that he’s put his soreness issues behind him.
Bondi Shake made it back-to-back wins last week when he led all the way from gate four, winning as he liked by 7.5 metres in a 1:58.4 mile rate.
“From two this time he should be leading and winning,” says Barnes. “It’s no harder this week and he looks a good bet.
“He’s done really well through the week and his confidence is up now he’s got over his soreness.”
On Thursday Franco Nandor is also set to make the pace from three on the gate in the seventh race.
The Mach Three gelding led from four last week and, after being looked in the eye early in the run home, did well to prevail by a nose.
“He should lead and run first or second. It’ll just be a case of whether he hangs on again or not.”
Barnes says his preference would be to drive the horse to lead then take a sit.
“But that’s more an Albion Park tactic. It’s hard to find the right one to let go at Redcliffe.
“We’ll lead and do our best.”
Lacking any real speed, Brian Christopher needs to be up on the pace in the eighth race and that’s exactly where Barnes says he’ll be.
“He can’t come from off the pace, he’s better in front or outside the leader which is where he raced last week.
“That suits him as he’s tough and he tries hard.”
Barnes says Brian Christopher, from three, will have a crack for the top and he hopes he’ll have enough respect to get there.
“The McCarthy horse (The General) should take a sit on him as they know they’ll get a good trip. But we should run top three again.”
Man Of Action striding out at Pukekohe for Zachary Butcher.Meanwhile Barnes said goodbye to Man Of Action last weekend, the horse sold to Marburg track stalwarts Doug and Karen Manger.
The four-year-old, who has been on a losing streak of 29 races since winning his third start in Queensland, never achieved the heights of his speedy half brother Make Way.
He goes with a career record of three wins and 12 placings from 51 starts for earnings of $47,154, just the credentials to qualify him to be pampered by the Mangers who say they train “race pets”, not race horses.
Bondi Shake races at 7.55pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Wednesday night.
Franco Nandor races at 6.12pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Thursday.
Brian Christopher races at 6.47pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Thursday.
More news in Harness
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A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Nate having a last spin round on his wee mate Eric - and he’s in with a very good chance
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
