Shergar best of Green's chances at Winton today

By Jonny Turner 

Reward for an outstanding Diamonds Day could be delivered at Winton on Sunday.

The Invercargill Harness Racing Club put on arguably one of the best editions of Southland’s premier race day a week ago, with a big crowd taking in an outstanding card of Diamonds Day racing at Ascot Park.

One of the team members who worked to deliver the outstanding race day is Invercargill Club President Craig Heyrick, who is in line to enjoy a different kind of success on Sunday.

Heyrick, wife Tania, and son Dylan race Shergar, who will attempt to chase down an overdue maiden victory for trainer Kirstin Green in Race 3, the Tui Base Camp/Bay Road Service Centre Mobile Pace (1.10pm). 

Green rates Shergar the best winning hope of the handy team she lines up at the Riverton Trotting Club’s meeting.

“I thought on form he would be our best chance,” the trainer said.

“He has a wee hitch in his gait at times, but he has been getting around the bigger tracks pretty well.”

“He’s been pretty consistent lately and he is getting close to a win. Hopefully, he can run another nice race.”

Green has good hopes for another of her maidens at Winton in Heidsieck, who has been very honest in his two starts so far. He'll be in the first of the day, the Night 'N Day Winton/Transport Sevices Ltd (TSL) Mobile Pace at 12.15pm.  

“He is a wee dude. Every time we’ve taken him off the place, he has improved,” Green said.

“He will get a win soon. Beluga looks like he could be a bit sharp for us on Sunday.”

“But I am sure he will go another honest race.”

Stable newcomer Sure To Rise looks another each-way chance for Green, following her last start third at Ascot Park.

Samanthas Moon would be a big winning threat for the trainer if she was able to front with her best in Sunday’s feature trot.

However, whether she can is yet to be seen.

“Her last couple of starts have been disappointing, but we can’t quite put our finger on why.”

“She is working well and looking well, but she hasn’t been putting in, in her last couple of races.”

“We have tried a few different things with her. Hopefully, they can work the trick because on her best form she would be a chance.”

Spiritinthesky looks a rough threat for the Green stable on Sunday, while Bobbie’s Rock looks an each-way hope in the meeting’s feature pace.

“It is definitely a drop back from what he is racing,” Green said. 

“I think he has improved with his last run. He has been running and bucking around his paddock.”

“The wide draw (6) could make things tricky. There are a couple of handy ones in there and he might have to do a bit of work.”

“But it does look a suitable race for him.”

Daniel Anderson links up with Bobbie’s Rock, while Blair Orange partners Shergar and Green pilots the rest of her team.