Watch Bondi Shake roar home at Albion Park on Tuesday - at tempting odds
By Barry Lichter • 1 February 2021
Bondi Shake may have a second row draw to contend with at Albion Park on Tuesday but the step up to 2138 metres will see him competitive, says trainer Al Barnes.
You only had to see how well Bondi Shake finished at his last start over 1660 metres to appreciate why Barnes believes the horse will enjoy the extra distance of the fourth race.
After dropping to the rear from a wide gate, Bondi Shake was never closer than four back on the outer until he made his move when he was pushed six wide turning for home.
But the improving three-year-old still powered home for a close fourth, recording easily the fastest closing 800 and 400 in 56.31 and 27.44, making up 16.6 metres on the leaders in the process.
Bondi Shake’s closing sectionals last start were excellent and saw him make up 16.6 metres on the leaders from the 800.“He’ll go well at 2138 metres,” says Barnes. “He was just pipped and beat home Tuesday’s favourite Flame Lady last time he ran the distance.”
Barnes can’t believe the early odds have the former Chrissie Dalgety and Nathan Purdon-trained Flame Lady a $3.50 favourite while Bondi Shake is at $14, even allowing for the fact the favourite is perfectly placed in two.
“I think Bondi Shake has more stamina than speed and the 2138 metres will sort a lot of them out.
“Flame Lady was run down over the trip last Friday night and is on the quick backup, so she might not be as good.
“It’s not an overly strong field and we’re good enough to make the first move. We won’t go silly early as Flame Lady won’t hand up but he’ll be put in the race at some stage - I’d like to see him out and rolling by the 600 as he’ll keep on coming.”
Barnes is rapt with how the horse continues to improve. “He’s done super - I’m really happy with him.”
Bondi Shake races at 7.43pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
More news in Harness
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
