Bondi Shake set to go the way of Larry - all the way to the United States
By Barry Lichter • 11 August 2021
The imminent American race debut of former Lincoln Farms’ pacer Larry Lincoln is likely to help finance the sale of another horse - tonight’s hat-trick winning pacer Bondi Shake.
Marburg trainer Al Barnes, who won eight races with Larry Lincoln before his sale in March, says Bondi Shake is all but sold to the same New Jersey stable - that of trainer-driver Austin Siegelman.
“Austin is dead keen and just wants a little time to earn a few cheques. They love Larry and he’s all ready to race after qualifying last week in 1:53.”
The Siegelman-Leah Posner combination has already enjoyed plenty of success with former Lincoln Farms’ iron horse Vasari and can’t get enough of the horses in Lincoln green.
Barnes says Bondi Shake is the perfect horse for American racing.
“He’s honest, very similar to Billy Lincoln, clean gaited, and he can lead or come from behind.”
It was every post a winner tonight at Redcliffe as Brendan Barnes shot Bondi Shake straight to the front and repeated his win of last week down to one tenth of a second.
Brendan Barnes … “when they got to him he took off again.”And while a dashing late close from Flo Ryda cut the winning margin to a neck, the result was never really in doubt.
“Brendan said he switched off a little late but when they got to him he took off again.”
Barnes, who was confident of a winning run tonight, says Bondi Shake is right back to his best after shrugging off soreness issues and bolted away from the field in the back straight with a 28.4 third quarter.
“He wants to do it again and should continue with the good form.”
Barnes is now in a dilemma over whether to keep racing at Redcliffe, where he has won $2866 three weeks in a row, or to move to Albion Park to chase bigger stakes.
“It might be a smarter move to stay at Redcliffe. He’s won six races now and is a 58 rater but with our three-year-old concession of five points he can race in a 50 to 53 race next week, basically the same grade.”
Bondi Shake, who paid $2 on the New Zealand tote, got home in 28.8 for a mile rate of 1:58.3 over the 1780 metres.
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Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Cambridge
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
5.55pm
“The race never panned out for him on debut, he got too far back from a second row draw, but we’ve got the gun draw and gun driver (Zachary Butcher) on this time. He can run off the gate a bit so I don’t see why he can’t lead. I’d like to think he’s a chance to get some money. He’s been trialling and working well.”
Ray’s tips
Thursday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.41pm
“He missed four or five days work with an abscess in his foot when he came back from Manawatu so he could be a bit short.”
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.41pm
“She doesn’t handle the bends so well the Auckland way and is just going round to lose points. She’s been crucified by the handicapping system.”
Race 2: What’s Up The Hill
6.06pm
“He’s not the finished article yet but he’s slowly getting the hang of it. There are nicer horses in the race than the ones he raced against at Manawatu so I’Il be happy if he can just do everything right and run a slot.”
Race 3: Onyx Shard
6.31pm
“She won from a wide draw last time at Manawatu but this is a slightly harder field. She keeps drawing badly and the outside gate might inconvenience her again.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.22pm
“He got pushed out down the back last time because he couldn’t keep up. We had big aspirations for him but it looks like he isn’t as good as we thought. Nothing can beat Marketplace.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
7.54pm
“I’m sure she’s up to them when she’s right but she’s had her setbacks recently. First she tied up and then she kicked out at something and bruised a foot. She’s right now but that will render her not 100% fit.”
Race 9: Lincoln La Moose
9.36pm
“He went good races at Palmy but he pulled far too hard here last time. It was a better run than it looks on paper though as he couldn’t get a run at them in the straight. He’s probably on his mark now and will need a bit of luck.”
