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
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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
Argyle out of action, injured, and barrier draw will take Nemo out of play too on Saturday
Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
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.”
