By Jonny Turner
A good day out at Ascot Park is exactly what Kirstin Green’s team needs before New Zealand Cup week.
The trainer-driver has Addington targets in mind for most of the strong seven-horse team she has entered.
Betting Sensation will clash with her stablemate Carrera Sunset in a small but talented lineup of three-year-old fillies.
After an excellent last-start second at the same track, Betting Sensation looks among the best of the Green team stepping out at Ascot Park.
“I think Betting Sensation – she’ll have the fitness edge over Carrera Sunset,” the trainer-driver said.
“Carrera Sunset has taken a little bit longer to come back to it; the ability is there, but she will improve with this run.”
“Whereas, Betting Sensation has the benefit of two good, hard runs back.”
Darin is closing in on a victory after top-four placings in all of his starts to date.
Another honest effort is expected from the pacer in race 4.
“He always goes a good race; he is a bit of a lazy little bugger,” Green said.
“He’s hard to drive, but come race day, he puts his best foot forward.”
Frosty Girl looks another big hope for the Green stable.
The trotter ran on strongly for third in her last start at Winton after being held up at a crucial stage.
“She was really unlucky at Winton; I stayed three back on the markers, and she had two of the favourites in front of her.”
“I was expecting them to kick on a bit better, but she ended up being held up behind them.”
“She got to the line really good after; she’s pretty close to knocking one off.”
Sally Lindenny faces a step up in class when she starts in race 8.
Green hopes a better getaway will help her cause.
“She trotted home super last start.”
“It is a tough ask against Jimmy Carter and some of those better horses.”
“But she is going really well.”
“I am hoping I can step her a bit better this time; I didn’t step her very well the other day, and we were slow away.”
Green has both Wattlebank Arnie and He’s A Meister in Sunday’s fast-class pace.
Both come into the race following excellent last-start efforts, and they are closely matched in an even field.
“Wattlebank Arnie is more of a speed horse, but I don’t think there is much between them at all.”
“He’s A Meister can do anything recently; he can sit out there and work, and he can run home too.”
“It is a very even race, and you could make a case for any of them.”
