It won’t be Super Easy for latecomer on Tuesday but he’s getting there, says Al
By Barry Lichter • 24 February 2020
“The penny hasn’t dropped but it’s on the way.”
That’s how Marburg trainer Al Barnes describes his latest Lincoln Farms’ newcomer Its Super Easy who debuts at Albion Park on Tuesday.
The Art Major - Shy Annie three-year-old meets only six rivals in the second race and, while Barnes says he won’t be disgraced and can earn a cheque, the conditions hugely favour two-race winner Dataldo.
Barnes thought he was nominating for a maiden race but in fact it was for three-year-olds who haven’t won a race this season.
“I’ve decided to let him go round anyway for the experience. There’s no point in him sitting round at home when he needs to race to learn.
(Its) Super Easy (Andre Poutama) leads Larry Lincoln in winning a workout at Pukekohe last September.“He’ll be competitive but from six we’ll let him find a spot, settle in the field and run on.
“He will develop gate speed. When Brendan drove him into third in a trial behind Northview Hustler, when he paced 1:55, he said he felt like he wanted to run the gate.
“I don’t think he’s mentally ready for that yet. It may take him 10 or 15 starts before he’s a racehorse but he has run a 28 quarter and 57.5 half and that’s good enough speed for now.”
Its Super Easy has had two official trials in preparation for his debut, running a distant third to Northview Hustler on January 21, pacing a quick 1:55 mile rate, then winning when left in front on February 4 in a 2:00.7 mile rate.
Dataldo, however, has racked up two wins and seven placings from 15 starts and was a close up third in a 1:53 mile rate last start.
Its Super Easy has come a long way since he arrived from New Zealand a big, overgrown dummy, but Barnes says he has a way to go yet before he produces his best, like his brother Alleluia who has won 35 races, most of them in Queensland.
“He’ll do his best on Tuesday and won’t disgrace himself but whatever he does, he’ll improve on.”
Barnes will also trial the vastly improved Joey Lincoln on Tuesday.
“He’s flying in his work at home. When he arrived he was running laps of our 650 metre track in 60, and doing things wrong. The other day he ran up in 52, and paced super. When they gallop, they don’t go any faster than 50.
“He only went round quietly last time but Hayden will give him a decent education tomorrow.”
Its Super Easy races at 4.37pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
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Nathan’s comments
Thurday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
6.03pm
“He’s just come back from a two-week break and seems a lot better after the freshen-up. He’s training really well but this will be like a trial for him. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race so, from five, he won’t be put into the early rush. We’re still aiming him at the Harness 5000 at Ashburton in December.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
4.44pm
“He was held up last week but still got home really well, hard on their backs and, with the right trip, he’ll be dangerous. But the race looks suited to a horse like Hooray Henry who, in a small field, can sit back and outsprint them.
Race 9: Tyson
8.54pm
“We were looking to sit in with him last week but it didn’t work out. He still ran on pretty well as he always does. He just needs a bit of luck.”
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
8.54pm
“Maurice was happy with her run last week and said she paced strongly through the line. From seven on the gate this week she’ll have to go back but I think she’s better coming from off the pace. She’s a good chance if she can get sucked into it at the right time.”
