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.
More news in Harness
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Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
