Hayden Barnes and Bondi Shake who will be well in the market at Albion Park on Tuesday. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Hayden needs a little birdie on his shoulder from Bondi Shake’s wide draw on Tuesday
By Barry Lichter • 15 February 2021
The opposition is easier but the draw is tough for Bondi Shake at Albion Park on Tuesday when run of the race will decide his fate.
Lincoln Farms’ improving three-year-old strikes an even bunch in the sixth race at 7.12pm NZ time when he should start one of the favourites after a solid last-start second.
But trainer Al Barnes says just how he fares will depend on how much luck his driver son Hayden gets from six on the gate.
“He’s got a tricky draw but Hayden will more than likely go forward and try to find a position. He’s better being on the speed than coming from last.
“The draw is everything here. If you’ve got to go back it’s hard making ground. It’s a very leader biased track because they run such fast times and fast last halves.
“So it will depend how much work he has to do early.”
Bondi Shake held his own out of the gate last Tuesday before going forward to breeze then secure the one-one trail soon after, spending petrol in a slick opening quarter of 27.3.
“It was a tough race that he was never going to win but he did well to run second.”
Left flat-footed when Targaryen exploded clear, Bondi Shake fought on bravely on a fast 1:54.5 mile rate for the 1660 metres.
“Targaryen has a lot of high speed which he lacks but he does have stamina.”
Given former Southlander Targaryen has won six races - four of seven since arriving in Queensland - Barnes says its certainly a drop in class on Tuesday.
“Maggie will be the one to beat - she came from off the speed to win last time in a 1:56.8 mile rate - but he’s honest and will keep trying.
“He’s a nice bread and butter horse but the winner will be determined by who gets the right position.”
Bondi Shake has notched two wins and five seconds from 11 starts during his three months in Brisbane.
Bondi Shake races at 7.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
More news in Harness
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Ray: Put the line through Johnny’s last run - it was a walk-fest and he copped it late
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 7: Im Not The Maid
8.15pm
“She couldn’t knick off a perfect trip last time in the amateur race so I won’t be holding my breath here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.53pm
“It looks like it will be a replica of his last two runs. He needs to drop down a class.”
Race 2: Kevin Kline
5.53pm
“I think he’lll go another good race but you couldn’t make a case for him to beat the two favourites (American Me or Mantra Blue). If he ran third, I’d be rapt. He’s very genuine and his form reflects that.”
Race 3: The Rascal
6.24pm
“We’ve chucked him in the deep end - he’s a maiden against race winners - but he’s improving all the time. Fergy had difficulty steering him last time and said if he could have got him out, he would have won. We’ve made little changes to his gear this time and I think he’s a serious contender.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.26pm
“He feels super in his work. I’m really pleased with him. I know he hasn’t lived up to his early promise but the way he’s training he might now be ready to realise it.”
Race 9: Dreams Of Eric
9.32pm
“He wasn’t handling the right-handed going so well, which was why he switched to racing at Cambridge, but he’s a genuine little guy, a strong colt with a bit of speed. I think he’s a chance, it’s just the draw, but it’s only a small field.”
