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
Forget the form line, Nemo is in Saturday’s race at Albion Park ‘right up to his ears’
Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
