A Barnes belter - Brian Christopher makes it three at Redcliffe and Bondi Shake just misses
By Barry Lichter • 21 July 2021
Trainer Al Barnes went close to a driving double for Lincoln Farms at Redcliffe tonight after rating Brian Christopher perfectly in front to win and all but getting Bondi Shake up in the next race, coming from last.
Barnes used Brian Christopher’s gate speed to clear his rivals early and after getting away with opening quarters of 32.1 and 31.2, ramped it up with a 28.5 sprint.
“He seems to like racing like that, making it into a staying test,” Barnes said.
“He hasn’t got a lot of change-up speed so I wanted to take a bit of speed out of the others’ legs.”
And, thanks to new bit which Barnes fitted to the horse, Brian Christopher paced a lot better round the final bend, unlike his previous start last week when second.
“He steered a lot better tonight with the new bit on - he didn’t hit his knees at all.”
Al Barnes gets Brian Christopher home with another all-the-way win.Barnes’ aggression before the final dash home gave the horse a key buffer and while Go Jo Jolt and Donny Jones tried hard he had only to run a 29.9 final 400 to hold a 3.8 metre margin at the post.
The 2040 metres was run in 2:35.9, a sedate mile rate of 2:03.
The win, his third at Redcliffe since arriving in Queensland, confirmed the advantage of racing in Australia, said Barnes.
“We’ve been able to place him where he’s competitive. Every horse can find a home over here, you just have to find the right track that suits them.
“His gate speed is a big asset and Redcliffe with its shorter straight makes it hard for them to catch him. The class is also a bit weaker.”
Best of all, being a three-year-old, Brian Christopher will cop only a three rating point penalty for tonight’s win, Barnes said.
“He’ll be in basically the same class again next time, he just might draw a bit worse.
“But his confidence is up now and I’ll try to place him where he draws the front.”
The Bettor’s Delight - Kamwood Elsie gelding has now raced five times in Queensland for three wins and two seconds, earning $10,879 for owners John and Lynne Street, Kevin and Glenis Street and Bev Glass.
Bondi Shake, inner, just misses as he dashes up the passing lane at Redcliffe tonight.Barnes thought he had no hope of winning with Bondi Shake one race later when he found himself last with 550 metres to run.
“I was going to punch out but there was a strong head wind at Redcliffe tonight and I didn’t want to park him.”
So Barnes went back to the rear and bided his time, cutting down to the markers when he saw a couple of drivers shift out before the home turn.
“I knew coming wide I wouldn’t earn anything so I drove to get him as close as I could.
“It’s a two-horse sprint lane at Redcliffe and I thought the shortest way home was up the fence. At no stage did I think I could win but he was still coming at the line and I actually thought I got there. One stride after the line he was in front.”
Bondi Shake, who was still three back on the markers turning for home, did exceptionally well to be beaten only a head by Clarenden Dazzler in a thrilling four-way finish.
The 1780 metres was cut out in a mile rate of 2:00.1.
Barnes, who had predicted a bold run from the fifth favourite because he was so well and had been habitually unlucky, said he hoped the horse could win a race at Albion Park soon.
More news in Harness
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Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Cheapies The Night Fox and Lincoln Maree keep the tally ticking over at Cambridge
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
4.42pm
“I’m not holding my breath with him. We won’t count that last run, when the leader went ballistic and he couldn’t get into the race, but he’s not well placed here.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.09pm
“She’s racing really well and this looks a bit easier than last time when she was trapped in the breeze in a strong field. I can’t see how she won’t be right in the fight.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
7.34pm
“I didn’t know what to expect on debut but she was very brave. I’m picking she’ll go well again but she’ll need a bit of luck - drawn the second line we’re at the mercy of others. We’ll poke her out and see. At least she won’t get parked this time.”
Race 10: Lincoln Wave
9.07pm
“We’re racing the best horses now but he’ll definitely go better than last time. Tony (Herlihy) said he felt super across the top but once in the straight he flattened out, which I half expected. I had him scoped afterwards just to make sure he was all right but he was short of a run, that’s all.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
9.07pm
“He went super when third last week and Fergie said just wait ’til he gets over 2700 metres, he’ll be a monster. He’s turned into a proper racehorse. From four there’ll be a bit of urgency early and hopefully he can get a suck along and get some of it.”
