(Its) Super Easy (4) getting some practice in a learners’ heat at Pukekohe last September which he won.
Al: Dopey Its Super Easy a bit of a project but I’m hoping to get him steering better
By Barry Lichter • 2 March 2020
Trainer Al Barnes will use a hanging bit on Its Super Easy on Tuesday hoping it helps him steer better than when he failed badly on debut at Albion Park last week.
But while he meets an easier field in the second race, Barnes says the horse will have to lift a lot to have any chance of earning money.
Both Barnes and his son Hayden were surprised at how badly the Art Major three-year-old ran last week, his poor performance the subject of a judicial probe.
“He didn’t run up to his trial form at all and Hayden was very disappointed. He was hanging in and hitting a knee, he was on and off the bit, and just didn’t travel at all.”
Warned for being a couple of lengths off the gate at the start, Its Super Easy was last in the running and dropped off the pack by six lengths with 400 metres to run, finishing 60 metres from the winner.
“Hayden just left him alone. When they’re getting on a knee you can’t start bustling them.”
Barnes says while Its Super Easy didn’t steer the best when third and first in two previous trials, he was a lot better than in his race.
Al Barnes … Its Super Easy a six month project.“But green horses do that. You think you’ve got them one day and the next you don’t. He’s a big, dopey type. We knew he was a project when he came here and he could be a six month project.
“But we’re going to use a more severe bit on Tuesday and we’ll see how we go.”
While Tuesday’s easier race will be run much slower than last week, when winner Dataldo paced a mile rate of 1:54, Barnes doesn’t think the fast tempo brought Its Super Easy undone.
“A hot race didn’t seem to worry him when he ran third in Northview Hustler’s trial, and went 1:55, and he’s not a nervous type who gets upset on raceday, he’s very calm and relaxed.”
All the horses drawn inside him on Tuesday have only Redcliffe form but Barnes says they have the advantage of race experience.
“So long as he improves we’ll be happy - he couldn’t go much worse. We just want to see him do everything right and stay in touch with the field.”
Fellow “project horses” Joey Lincoln and Cover Boy Pretty will have educational trials tomorrow.
Joey Lincoln “got scared and galloped out of the gate last week” but paced great afterwards.
“He’s getting there but it will be Cover Boy Pretty’s first education. He’s been a bit keen at home.”
Queensland’s educational trials are similar to the learners’ workout heats here - horses go round behind the barrier for a couple of laps before running a mile in about 2:06.
Its Super Easy races at 4.52pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
More news in Harness
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
