Bondi Shake, pictured winning his Queensland debut, will be hard to beat on Tuesday. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Fires, heat waves, floods - Queensland throws it all at Bondi Shake but he’ll still go close
By Barry Lichter • 14 December 2020
It’s almost got to the stage that Queensland trainer Al Barnes is wondering when the first locusts will appear.
First it was drought, forest fires and heat waves and now much of the state is under water.
At Marbug, 50km inland from Brisbane where Barnes trains, he’s been unable to work his team for the last two days after 100ml of rain fell, 60ml of it overnight.
That makes a change from the 40 plus degree heat that curtailed his training in the previous weeks.
And it puts a slight dampener on his hopes for Tuesday at Albion Park where Bondi Shake contests the fourth race and Man Of Action is in the 10th race.
“Bondi Shake has been racing really well but missing two day’s work is not ideal. But I still expect him to go really well.
“He’s back in his own 0 to 1 win grade, which really suits him, after racing well in much harder fields.”
At his last start, six days ago, Bondi Shake ran second, beaten only 2.5 metres after an unsuccessful shot for the lead at the bell and having to sit parked for the last lap.
His driver Hayden Barnes was miffed at his brother Brendan on Onlysbest for holding out his challenge, but it was a race-winning tactic as the horse was able to stave off Bondi Shake’s unflinching bid in the home straight.
“He went well, he was brave, but he’s still got a lot to learn.”
On Tuesday, when Brendan Barnes takes the reins with his brother on holiday, Bondi Shake is the only horse on the second line and from there he could get a nice trip behind pole runner and possible leader Boomchuckalucka.
And that scenario, says Al Barnes, would set up some very lively trackside banter.
Brisbane Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs is helped off the field after tearing his ACL ligament in September.The ex Kiwi five-year-old will be having his first start for his new owners who include Brisbane Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs and hooker Jake Turpin.
Barnes had a few ales with the pair the other night when Staggs, in rehab after an ACL ligament tear in September, was very bullish about his first horse.
“He’s a larrikin of a bloke and was raving on about the horse and I was stirring him up saying we’d be on his back.
“I know the horse did nothing in New Zealand but he actually goes pretty well and was just beaten in his trial the other day. If he leads, he’ll be hard to beat.
“I’m looking forward to the race.”
Man Of Action will go his usual honest race in the last, says Barnes.
“Because he’s missed a bit of work we’ll probably drive him more conservatively rather than firing out of the gate and leading.”
Man Of Action was right in the firing line 150 metres out last week, finishing just 4.5 metres from winner Gotta Moment, after starting from the second line and making a solo run three wide at the half.
The one to beat is without doubt former Kiwi Oaxacan Dream, who pipped Larry Lincoln last week in a 1:55.1 mile rate for the 1660 metres.
Bondi Shakes races at 5.03pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
Man Of Action races at 8.37pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
More news in Harness
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Ray gives reformed Rascal his ‘most likely to succeed’ report from the pole on Friday night
Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
