Bondi Shake notches his hat-trick last week at Redcliffe.
Go again on Bondi Shake at Redcliffe tonight - and the bookies are spoiling you with $7
By Barry Lichter • 18 August 2021
Bondi Shake looks over the odds to continue his picket fence form line at Redcliffe tonight.
The three-year-old has scored at each of the last three Wednesdays at Redcliffe, improving his times every start, and trainer Al Barnes doesn’t see his second row draw stopping him tonight - even though bookies have rated him only a $7 fourth favourite.
While Bondi Shake has led in his last two starts, he started his winning streak with a come-from-behind win, rushing past his opposition in the home stretch.
“I think he’s a much better horse coming from behind than in front and he’ll be better over the longer distance too.”
Each of Bondi Shake’s wins have been over the Redcliffe sprint trip of 1780 metres but tonight he tackles 2040 metres from three on the second line.
The opposition, however, is no stronger than last week as, while a rating 58 horse, he gets a five point concession and slots back into a rating 50 to 54 race.
Barnes can picture the race panning out well for Bondi Shake and hopes to see him get a nice cart into the race and be right in the firing line turning for home.
Thursday draws tricky
On Thursday, Barnes takes fellow Lincoln Farms pacers Franco Nandor and Brian Christopher to Redcliffe where their draws will make it a little harder than last week.
Franco Nandor’s second row draw means he won’t get the chance to use his superior gate speed and lead but Barnes says a change of tactics is in the wind for the horse anyway.
“Leading and stopping (like last week) will kill his confidence and I think he’ll go best when we can lead then take a sit.
“We can’t do that from three the second row this week so we’ll drive him in the field and let him run on.”
From five in the eighth race the in-form Brian Christopher is unlikely to make the front either but that doesn’t worry Barnes.
“We won’t bust him out of the gate, he can slide forward and the chair will be there for him.
“The field is a little bit stronger this week but he’ll be more than competitive and should be in the money again.”
In eight starts in Queensland, Brian Christopher has racked up four wins, two seconds and a third. The only time he was out of the money was when new driver Hayden Barnes was not familiar with his strengths and weaknesses - his lack of speed dictating that he be driven on the pace.
Last week he was super tough, sitting parked throughout, and running down white hot favourite The General to win by 2.7 metres.
Bondi Shake races at 8.22pm NZ time at Redcliffe tonight.
Thursday
Franco Nandor races at 5.42pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Thursday.
Brian Christopher races at 6.57pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Thursday.
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Leo Lincoln close to a win: Watch how he copped it early last time at Manawatu
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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.”
