Second row draw makes it tough again for Bondi Shake at Albion Park on Tuesday
By Barry Lichter • 14 June 2021
Bondi Shake will be driven for luck at Albion Park on Tuesday after again drawing badly on the second row.
The improving three-year-old, who has been dead stiff at long odds in a couple of his recent runs, came from three back on the markers to run fourth in his latest start last Tuesday to finish only 7.8 metres from the winner and hot favourite Call Me Keith.
And trainer-driver Al Barnes says the horse finished as well as anything in the race, clocking closing sectionals of 56.4 and 27.6.
“That topped him off fitness wise. But I’ll have to drive defensively again from three on the second row. I’ll come up the fence and look for gaps.”
Barnes says Bondi Shake is a much improved version since recovering from a foot abscess but, while he always tried hard, he is now up against stronger opposition too.
“It’s very strong here at the moment with a lot of southern horses. There’d have to be 80 to 100 of them here and that will only increase over the winter carnival.
“He’s in between in the ratings at the moment, with so many in that grade. But when he drops one more point he’ll be on the lower side (and benefit from the preferential barrier draw).”
Meanwhile Lincoln Farms newbie Brian Christopher is set to debut in Brisbane next week, on either the Tuesday or Thursday.
“It’s all Redcliffe this week and I didn’t want to take him there. I also had the chiropracter go over him to fix a few problems in his back end and that takes five to seven days to heal.”
Bondi Shake races at 5.47pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
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Les Harding
Monday at Globe Derby
Race 6: Beaudiene Rocknroll
6.34pm NZ time
This race will tell us how he measures up against the local horses. We decided to go for this lower graded race, despite having lower prize money, instead of going to the trials one more time. He won the second of two trials on April 21, beating race rival Hezrockinroyalty by four metres. Run over 2230 metres he clocked 57.7 for his last half and 1:59.7 for his last mile. From the pole he’ll start short and be hard to beat.
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 7: Lincoln Lou
8.25pm
“He’s a beautiful little horse who doesn’t do anything wrong. He got held up at a crucial time last week and got home well (for sixth). He gets out pretty well so should get a good trip from two. He’ll go his usual honest race. He’s improving all the time, he’s a gutsy little guy, but whether he can measure up to the favourites remains to be seen.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.25pm
“He’s a work in progress and we’re still dabbling with his gear. He’s actually a naturally good-gaited horse, like all the American Ideals, but he’s going through a stage of not really knowing why he’s out there. You just don’t know when he’ll click but three is an ideal draw for him and he should be handy if he does things right.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
9.20pm
“He’s an under-rated horse, as good as those others who are higher rated. He’s proving to be a tidy horse and, while he’s not viewed as a serious player by some, I think he is. He was closing off really well last week behind Hugotastic.”
