By Jonny Turner
Betting on green looks like a very workable strategy for Tuapeka Lodge Tuapeka Cup Day.
Kirstin Green starts seven horses at Ascot Park on Sunday and each one of them appears to have genuine eachway claims.
Among the trainer-driver’s strong team is Emily who ran a very creditable fifth in last weekend’s Group Three Dark Horse Trot.
After handling her toughest test well, the mare is ready to fire again this week.
“She seems to have come through that run well, hopefully she can take advantage of the drop back in grade and get the job done,” Green said.
“She would probably be my best chance, she seems really well in herself.”
Bobbies Rock is another of Green’s team who steps back in grade on Sunday.
Though the pacer has been freshened since his last run in September, he has produced a strong recent workout effort.
“It is a drop back for him and he is a horse that has gone well fresh in the past.”
“He could be a run short, but with the way he has gone fresh before, I am not too worried about it.”
The well-related Garonne looks another strong each way chance for Green on the back of his solid debut 4th at the same track.
Samanthas Moon returns to Ascot Park on Sunday after an epic win at the same track last weekend.
“If she trotted like she did last weekend, it is only a small field with the scratchings, so she would have to be a chance.”
Last weekend, Samanthas Moon won with Green wearing the colours of the late Wayne McEwan following his recent passing.
McEwan bred and raced Jayar Mac who looks a serious winning threat in race 2 on Sunday.
Green is hopeful the horse can deliver a special victory, just two days after the harness racing breeder, owner and sponsor was remembered at his funeral in Invercargill.
Betting Sensation looks another solid each way threat for the Green stable on Tuapeka Cup Day.
The mare has taken on stronger company than she meets in Sunday’s finale.
“We have been struggling to get the weight off her, so I gave her a trial during the week and she finished hard on the back of them.”
“She needs this race to get fitter for (New Zealand) Cup Week, but she should be a good top-three chance.”
Big Vinnie is also among the Green team bound for Tuapeka Cup Day.
The pacer produced a fair debut at Gore, but he’s produced a tidy recent workout since suggesting he’s ready for an improved race day effort.
