Three wide with the tail-enders turning for home last week, Its Super Easy ran past three horses in the straight.
Signs of improvement from Its Super Easy and Al says he’ll keep getting better
By Barry Lichter • 10 March 2020
Its Super Easy has shown enough improvement in his trackwork in the last week to have trainer Al Barnes thinking he can run top four at Albion Park this afternoon.
And with a crucial gear change to help him steer better, Barnes says he’s sure he can finish closer than 42 metres from the winner, like he did last week.
The green three-year-old tried to make an early move from the back last week but because he was on and off the bit, driver Hayden Barnes wasn’t able to slot him in and was forced to restrain to the tail of the field.
Still with the tailenders and three wide turning for home he ran past three up the home straight to finish fourth, recording closing sectionals of 58.78 and 30.08.
“Hayden couldn’t steer him round the turns but he made good ground up the straight. We’ve fitted him with a Murphy blind this time and that should help - he’s steered a lot better at home wearing it.
“He’s had a good week, he’s been a lot sharper in his trackwork. Usually he’s lazy, hangs, and doesn’t want to do it.”
Barnes says from two on the gate, Its Super Easy should be able to hold his position in this afternoon’s third race for three-year-olds, instead of having to go back to last.
“It’s a handy field, they’re not maidens, but he can sit on the better ones and be 15 or 20 metres closer in the running.
“He’s improved enough to be competitive and he’ll keep improving. He should win in his next two or three starts.”
Its Super Easy tackles the longer trip of 2138 metres for the first time today after two runs over 1660 metres.
Its Super Easy races at 5.12pm NZ time at Albion Park today.
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
