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
Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling
Ray: Preferential draw for top fillies makes it tough for everyone else in Golden Gait series
Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
Friday’s Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup all about the standing start manners of Aussie raider
Our runners this week
Tuesday at Cambridge
Colonel Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Kevin Kline, Lincoln La Moose, The Big Lebowski.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.51pm
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
6.49pm
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw. She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.39pm
“He hasn’t raced for nearly 21 months but his training has been good and he should go well first-up. He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.04pm
“He’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn. It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.09pm
“He’ll be relying on a heap of good luck from the second row. His last run was a non-event. The poor little bugger couldn’t have done a better job of finding trouble. He’s trained on all right.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.09pm
“He’s training really well and he showed last time what a big motor he had, losing all that ground early and still getting up to win. He’s not famous for his gate speed but as long as he gets away safely then Maurice can put him in the race at the right time. There are a lot of horses in there that aren’t that safe who could stand on their ear. Navigating through them is always a worry. He’ll need some luck but he could give them a fright.”
Race 6: Frisco Bay
8.05pm
“He obviously can’t beat Duchess Megxit or Jeremiah but if he gets a good trip he’s a chance of getting some money. Things didn’t suit him last time - being out three wide then going to the front. He’s so hot, he over-races. He goes best if he’s allowed to slop out and find the back of something, when he generally relaxes. Even if he got back a bit, that would be all right, so long as he gets sucked along.”
