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Bondi will give it a real Shake from the pole on Tuesday and Larry’s a terrific chance too

Improving pacer Bondi Shake has drawn to lead and win at Albion Park on Tuesday.

Trainer Al Barnes was delighted when the Somebeachsomewhere gelding drew the pole for the fifth race after his excellent placing last week from the second row.

Bondi Shake followed the pacemaking ex-Kiwi Boomchuckalucka all the way last week and never flinched on his challenge up the straight, despite having missed a couple of day’s work through flooding.

Bondi Shake, who is still officially two until the end of the month, clocked 55.08 for his closing 800 metres and 27.68 for his last 400, with the mile rate a good 1:55.4.

“I was really happy with him, he kept trying, and he’s improving all the time.

“It’s a nice field but I don’t think they’ll beat him in front.”

Larry Lincoln …”airborne”Larry Lincoln …”airborne”Barnes is also expecting Larry Lincoln and Man Of Action to go well in the following race, drawn the two inside spots.

Larry Lincoln was particularly impressive at his last start when he swept up four wide on the home turn and was right in the fight up the straight, finishing a close fourth.

“He’s airborne at the moment and from two will put himself right in it and be very hard to beat.

“Man Of Action should also be in the money from the inside draw.”

The likely favourite is the Craig Cross-trained Ranger Bomb but he has drawn the outside of the gate.

Bondi Shake races at 5.33pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.Bondi Shake races at 5.33pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.Man Of Action and Larry Lincoln race at 6.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.Man Of Action and Larry Lincoln race at 6.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Nathan Delany

Nathan’s comments

Tuesday twilight at Manawatu

Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.44pm

“Fergie’s drive on Sunday was perfect, you couldn’t ask for better, and he said the horse was doing his best work in the last 50 metres. Maybe with another 100 metres he might have got there. His gate speed is only OK so I can see him getting crossed here.”

Race 5: Kevin Kline
6.19pm

“Fergie said he did it easily on the first day, and the horse only did what he had to. He’s been racing much nicer horses at Auckland so it was good to get the win, hopefully it will boost his confidence. I’ll leave the tactics up to Fergie but I imagine he’ll probably do the same thing again, loop the field and outstay them.”

Race 6: Onyx Shard
6.54pm

“I was hoping she’d drop down a grade. She’s had some tough trips recently, having to do a lot of work, and it didn’t help being three wide for the last lap on the first day. Also they only walked and sprinted home. She could be better coming with one run at them.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Cambridge

Race 2: Lincoln Lover
5.33pm

“He had no chance last start when trapped three wide all the way. That won’t happen this time from the inside draw so that gives him a chance to get some of it.”

Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.33pm

“He’s shown no gate speed so the wide draw doesn’t matter. He’s coming along all right but will need lots of luck against the hot pots.”

Race 5: Debbie Lincoln
6.54pm

“She seems to have overcome her tying-up issue, her bloods are good, and she’s training well again. She could possibly be underdone and the seven draw makes it very hard.”

Race 6: Lincoln Lou
7.20pm

Scratched. Sold to Western Australia.

Dan Costello Race Photography