Bondi Shake has been way too good for his Redcliffe rivals in his last two starts. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Full of confidence, Bondi Shake spearheads Al’s leaders at Redcliffe this week
By Barry Lichter • 10 August 2021
With all three of his runners drawn to lead, Marburg trainer Al Barnes is hoping he can keep his good strike rate going for Lincoln Farms at Redcliffe this week.
Barnes scored wins with Bondi Shake and Franco Nandor last week, supplemented by a placing with Brian Christopher, and lines up all three horses again.
First cab off the rank on Wednesday night is Bondi Shake whose form has completely turned around now that he’s put his soreness issues behind him.
Bondi Shake made it back-to-back wins last week when he led all the way from gate four, winning as he liked by 7.5 metres in a 1:58.4 mile rate.
“From two this time he should be leading and winning,” says Barnes. “It’s no harder this week and he looks a good bet.
“He’s done really well through the week and his confidence is up now he’s got over his soreness.”
On Thursday Franco Nandor is also set to make the pace from three on the gate in the seventh race.
The Mach Three gelding led from four last week and, after being looked in the eye early in the run home, did well to prevail by a nose.
“He should lead and run first or second. It’ll just be a case of whether he hangs on again or not.”
Barnes says his preference would be to drive the horse to lead then take a sit.
“But that’s more an Albion Park tactic. It’s hard to find the right one to let go at Redcliffe.
“We’ll lead and do our best.”
Lacking any real speed, Brian Christopher needs to be up on the pace in the eighth race and that’s exactly where Barnes says he’ll be.
“He can’t come from off the pace, he’s better in front or outside the leader which is where he raced last week.
“That suits him as he’s tough and he tries hard.”
Barnes says Brian Christopher, from three, will have a crack for the top and he hopes he’ll have enough respect to get there.
“The McCarthy horse (The General) should take a sit on him as they know they’ll get a good trip. But we should run top three again.”
Man Of Action striding out at Pukekohe for Zachary Butcher.Meanwhile Barnes said goodbye to Man Of Action last weekend, the horse sold to Marburg track stalwarts Doug and Karen Manger.
The four-year-old, who has been on a losing streak of 29 races since winning his third start in Queensland, never achieved the heights of his speedy half brother Make Way.
He goes with a career record of three wins and 12 placings from 51 starts for earnings of $47,154, just the credentials to qualify him to be pampered by the Mangers who say they train “race pets”, not race horses.
Bondi Shake races at 7.55pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Wednesday night.
Franco Nandor races at 6.12pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Thursday.
Brian Christopher races at 6.47pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Thursday.
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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.”
