Bondi Shake, pictured winning at Redcliffe earlier in the month, has raced for the last time for Lincoln Farms. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
It’s up to Brian now as Bondi Shake’s sale is finalised and his ticket to the States booked
By Barry Lichter • 24 August 2021
Lincoln Farms today farewells Bondi Shake who will be racing for his new American owner at Redcliffe on Wednesday night.
The deal with New Jersey horseman Austin Siegelman was finalised yesterday and the Somebeachsomewhere three-year-old is booked to fly to the States on October 4.
But before then trainer Al Barnes is hoping to win some travel expenses with Bondi Shake who is in career best form with three wins and two seconds in his last five starts.
Last Wednesday, despite a second row draw, Bondi Shake was heavily punted in from his opening $7 quote to start a $3.50 second favourite.
And, while he came up 4.7 metres short behind Miss Victoria, who stole a march before the home turn, Barnes was rapt with his finishing burst for second.
Bondi Shake was the only runner to make up ground on the winner from the 800, clocking up the fastest closing sectionals of 58.41 and 29.38.
Bondi Shake’s new owner, Austin Siegelman in action.“He’ll be even better this week, as he had a slightly easy time before that run and, while the inside second row draw isn’t great, and he’ll probably end up three fence, he should still earn a cheque of some description.
“It would be nice to win a race quickly for the new owners.”
Bondi Shake, who failed to flatter in 11 starts in New Zealand, managing just two placings, sheds the Lincoln green colours with a career record of six wins, 13 placings and $45,215 in stakes for John and Lynne Street, Bob Best, Merle Gradwell, Pat Gubb, Lance Myocevich, Steve Beckett, Kevin Bell, Joe and Raewyn Chojnacki, Margaret Rabbitt and the Athenry Syndicate.
He is the sixth horse which Barnes has successfully sold to the States for Lincoln Farms, following Trojan Banner, Lincoln’s Girl, Billy Lincoln, Vasari and Larry Lincoln, the latter pair who race for Siegelman and partner Leah Posner.
Barnes is looking forward to the arrival of new Lincoln Farms blood at Marburg, as he has only two left, Franco Nandor and Brian Christopher, who goes round in the second race on Wednesday night, also saddled with the inside second line alley.
For a horse whose main forte is toughness, not speed, that’s not ideal but Barnes believes he can still get some of the money if he can trail pole runner Ark Me.
“The one horse does have gate speed and if he wants to lead he will. If I can sit behind the leader we’re an each way chance.
“Even if we’re three fence we’re not out of it as it’s easier up the sprint lane than coming wide.”
Brian Christopher, who has racked up four wins and three placings from his nine starts at Redcliffe, had no chance last week when taken back to last and buried four deep in the running.
Brian Christopher races at 7.50pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Wednesday night.
Bondi Shake races at 8.24pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Wednesday night.
More news in Harness
Friday night’s main event: In the blue corner, Tyson, in the red corner, Sugar Ray
After 40 years in the sulky, Fergie’s just loving his renaissance in the lincoln green silks
Big-spending Mike Tanev snares The Rascal and he’s off to Canada next week
Dreams Of Eric goes from black and blue to blue and white, now for Harness 5000
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
