By Jonny Turner
Kirstin Green is due a change of trotting luck at Winton on Thursday.
The trainer-driver links up with Emily in race 6, the Hospitality Options Available 021351499 Handicap Trot, after the mare went to the line hard held in her stable debut after shifting south over the winter.
Green’s stable star Fiery Bandito copped even worse luck when wiped out on the first bend in his spring debut at Addington recently.
So don’t be surprised if luck is taken out of the equation when Blair Orange takes the reins behind Emily in her second attempt for Green at Winton.
“She was first up for us last start and I didn’t want to go out there and lead all of the way,” Green said.
“She was unlucky but she’s fitter for that run and I have been happy with her work since.”
“Being off the front, the race is set up pretty well for her.”
“She should be able to step and run them in front this week, with that run under her belt.”
Green takes the reins behind another of her team in the same race in Burning Love.
Though the mare ran third in her last start, it was just a fair run and she is likely to need to bring more in Thursday’s harder field.
“I thought she would win another one pretty quick but it is taking her a bit longer.”
“I have kept her fresh this week to try to get a bit of her speed back, it is a bit of trial and error with her.”
Green starts two horses in a strong maiden race, the Supporting Blue September Mobile Pace, in Miki Cohen and Jayar Mac.
Both went excellent races in their latest outings at Ascot Park, though they look to be taking on stiffer competition this week.
With Miki Cohen in barrier 1 and Jayar Mac also in a sweet spot in barrier 4, Green thinks there is little between the pair.
“Miki Cohen has a better draw this week which should help, he has been a tricky horse so you can’t really be too confident with him.”
“But if he goes as well as he did last week he would be a chance.”
“I can’t really pick one of them, they are pretty even and I think it will come down to who gets the better run.”
“Jayar Mac went super last week he would have to be a chance too.”
“It does look like a handy field, so it won’t be easy.”
Northview Sweet looks a realistic hope for Green in race 1, the Monica Toretto Photography Fillies and Mares Mobile Pace, despite an early error in her stable debut at Ascot Park last week.
The trainer has made gear changes and is expecting an improved performance at Winton.
As for Green’s stable star in Fiery Bandito, the trotter will be seen in handicap races at Addington in the near future.
Fiery Bandito returned to Southland after his luckless fresh up run, but will soon be heading north again.
