Al tips top three finish from Bondi Shake - he just wants them to go a bit faster this time
By Barry Lichter • 11 January 2021
Trainer Al Barnes is confident of a top three finish from Bondi Shake despite his drawing the second line at Albion Park on Tuesday.
Bondi Shake starts from two on the second row in the third race but Barnes is hoping he gets a good run through because he follows out a good gate horse in Kotare Elite.
“There’s a bit of speed out wide with the favourite coming from six but he should settle close to the firing line.
“He’s one of the better ones in the race and I’d be disappointed if he didn’t finish in the top three.”
Likely favourite Scotch En Ice, trained by 79-year-old veteran Vic Frost, has been out of the money only twice in his eight starts but Bondi Shake is also building a very consistent record.
Bondi Shake … two wins and three seconds from six starts in Brisbane. PHOTO: Dan Costello.In six Queensland starts he has racked up two wins, three seconds and a fourth, and is improving all the time, says Barnes.
“I’m really happy with him. He’s proving to be a nice horse, better than I thought when he first arrived. He’s developing more strength.”
Barnes is hoping the tempo of the race on Tuesday is more solid than last time given the three-year-old is coming back from 2138 metres to 1660 metres.
Leader and favourite Moresco was gifted the race last week when he strolled along with quarters of 30.3, 30.2 and 29.7, leaving the race only a sprint home. While Bondi Shake closed well late from the trail, he missed by half a neck.
“When they sprinted at the top of the lane he was a bit green and gangly. Hayden said for the first 50 metres of the straight his legs were going everywhere and he didn’t really put it together until closer to the line.
“If they’d got rolling a bit earlier it would have suited him better. The 27.6 last quarter was just a bit too sharp for him.”
Bondi Shake races at Albion Park at 5.33pm NZ time on Tuesday.
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
