Fires, heat waves, floods - Queensland throws it all at Bondi Shake but he’ll still go close

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.