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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$101 winner Lincoln Wave has improved and is worth following in Friday’s derby lead-up
OK Sammy, lightning bolts aside, Ray’s relying on you to do things right this time
Lincoln Dealer has the genes but not the barrier draw for Cambridge debut
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Colonel Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s come through his two runs well and we can be bolder with him from a front row draw.”
Race 2: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s in good shape and you can’t fault what he’s doing. I don’t think the (seven) draw should make a lot of difference - he’s been parked in his last two and still got money. You wouldn’t take a trifecta without putting him in.”
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s racing really well and just needs a bit of luck from the second row. He’s trained on well and should go well again. ”
Race 4: Rivergirl Bella
6.27pm
“She only has a little sprint but, if she doesn’t have to do too much, she can get home well.”
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.27pm
“She’ll win a race or two, and will get one soon as she’s honest, but she’s still very green. And to be fair to her, she hasn’t had a decent enough run where you can really judge her yet.”
Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.38pm
“Based on the draws, Sammy looks a better chance than Lincoln Wave. Not many win from out there, especially in a Group I race. But I suppose he had a similar draw at Cambridge (six) and got lucky (squeezing into the trail when Nymbal broke) so you never know what can happen. It won’t be easy for him but it would be nice to see him get a good trip as I think he’ll handle the 2700 metres as well as the others.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.38pm
“If he can hold up, that would be marvellous as if anything can give Jumal a fright, it’s him. I know he’s still a maiden but he’s better than most of them ability-wise. He’s a classy big bugger who is very fast and if he ends up on Jumal’s back he’d be dangerous. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the fray as he has such a lot of ability.”
Rac e 10: Prince Lincoln
9.37pm
“If the real Prince Lincoln turned up he’d be in the money, but you never know with him.”
