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.”
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Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
What’s Up The Hill.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 3: Onyx Shard
5.09pm
“She’s working really well and, from the good draw, hopefully she can run a drum. The field’s not that much harder than the one she beat last time at Manawatu (when parked for the last lap).”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
5.09pm
“We’re very happy with him - he’s come back a better horse. He went well at Auckland last start and is working well. We’ll be looking to go forward from the gate and hopefully get a gun run through behind Onyx Shard. On ability, he’s the better chance of the two.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.39pm
“He stepped like a bullet in his first go from a stand here in March. I thought he’d do the same on the second day but he galloped. We’ve got an overcheck on and hopple shorteners on Tuesday so he should make a good beginning. If he can step and lead, then maybe take a trail, he should be hard to beat. He likes it down there where the track is quite soft.”
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 3: Onyx Shard
6.04pm
“I thought I had Kevin Kline covered on Tuesday when we got to the straight because she was really travelling but he kicked away on us. It would be nice if she can get out of the gate as well again - she has good gate speed - and, if she does, she can get some of it again.”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
6.04pm
“He was too good for them on Tuesday, thanks to a great Fergy drive, and he’s in the same field again this time. The extra distance and wide draw shouldn’t make much of a difference and he’s our best of the night.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.02pm
“He’ll be hard to beat again if he steps like he did on Tuesday. The 10 metre handicap shouldn’t stop him. I think he’s even better if he follows something and the extra 500 metres isn’t a worry.”
