Bondi Shake runs on for third after pulling too hard at Redcliffe last start.
Redcliffe novelty tripped Bondi Shake but expect competitive effort back at headquarters
By Barry Lichter • 30 June 2021
Bondi Shake won’t find it easy from six on the gate at Albion Park on Friday night but trainer Al Barnes still expects him to run a competitive race.
Bondi Shake comes back from 2040 metres at Redcliffe at his last start to 1660 metres but, more importantly, he will be back in familiar territory.
Barnes says Bondi Shake simply struggled to cope with his first look at Redcliffe on June 24 and had run his race before he even stepped onto the track.
“The stables face the track there and he was a bit excited and nervous all night, which is unlike him. He’s normally very settled.”
The upshot was the horse pulled too hard in the running three deep on the markers and while in the clear and fourth at the 400 metre mark, found none of his usual sprint.
Bondi Shake still ran on for a solid third, only 8.7 metres from winner Get Ready To Rock, the winner mile rating 1:58.4, giving Barnes further evidence he is close to a winning run.
Hayden Barnes will be reunited with Bondi Shake on Friday night.“It’s not a great field on Friday and he’ll be very competitive. I’ve put Hayden back on him and from six he’ll probably have to go back and let him run on.”
Likely favourite the Peter Manning-trained Eva Mateo has the advantage of leaving from gate two. She claims a 1:54.9 mile rate at Bendigo last November and was big first-up in the state when third in the Redcliffe Oaks from a wide second row draw.
Man Of Action goes round in the race after Bondi Shake but Barnes admits he “was pretty plain” at Redcliffe at this last start.
Man Of Action started from three on the second row and raced three back on the outer, finding little when the pressure went on to beat only two home, 10.5 metres from winner Donny Jones.
“He ran a few OK races there for a while but seems happy to follow them round now.
“Still he’ll be better at Albion Park and I’ll have a talk to Hayden about how we drive him.
“We haven’t tried him in front for a while but he might have to work too hard to lead from four.
“It might be better to drive him back, try to get a good trip, and hope he’ll run on.”
More news in Harness
Rivergirl Bella finally delivers - and Phil kicks himself for not being there or having a punt
This is it, Sammy, the draw’s a bit of a pain but you can eat these non-winners for breakfast
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
Update: Scratched
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
