Redcliffe novelty tripped Bondi Shake but expect competitive effort back at headquarters

Bondi Shake won’t find it easy from six on the gate at Albion Park on Friday night but trainer Al Barnes still expects him to run a competitive race.

Bondi Shake comes back from 2040 metres at Redcliffe at his last start to 1660 metres but, more importantly, he will be back in familiar territory.

Barnes says Bondi Shake simply struggled to cope with his first look at Redcliffe on June 24 and had run his race before he even stepped onto the track.

“The stables face the track there and he was a bit excited and nervous all night, which is unlike him. He’s normally very settled.”

The upshot was the horse pulled too hard in the running three deep on the markers and while in the clear and fourth at the 400 metre mark, found none of his usual sprint.

Bondi Shake still ran on for a solid third, only 8.7 metres from winner Get Ready To Rock, the winner mile rating 1:58.4, giving Barnes further evidence he is close to a winning run.

Hayden Barnes will be reunited with Bondi Shake on Friday night.“It’s not a great field on Friday and he’ll be very competitive. I’ve put Hayden back on him and from six he’ll probably have to go back and let him run on.”

Likely favourite the Peter Manning-trained Eva Mateo has the advantage of leaving from gate two. She claims a 1:54.9 mile rate at Bendigo last November and was big first-up in the state when third in the Redcliffe Oaks from a wide second row draw.

Man Of Action goes round in the race after Bondi Shake but Barnes admits he “was pretty plain” at Redcliffe at this last start.

Man Of Action started from three on the second row and raced three back on the outer, finding little when the pressure went on to beat only two home, 10.5 metres from winner Donny Jones.

“He ran a few OK races there for a while but seems happy to follow them round now.

“Still he’ll be better at Albion Park and I’ll have a talk to Hayden about how we drive him.

“We haven’t tried him in front for a while but he might have to work too hard to lead from four.

“It might be better to drive him back, try to get a good trip, and hope he’ll run on.”