Green chasing tribute win with Midnight Babe

[Wandering Eyes]

If Kirstin Green could carry Midnight Babe to victory, she would. The trainer-driver will be doing everything she can to honour the memory of Murray Brown as she combines with a daughter of the trainer’s best pacer.

Brown passed away in Invercargill on Tuesday, leaving an indelible mark on southern harness racing. Midnight Babe is from Brown’s Group One-winning star Beaudiene Bad Babe, the best of the many horses he produced to win more than 500 races. When Midnight Babe lines up at Winton on Thursday, Green will wear the same Harness Jewels silks Beaudiene Bad Babe carried to victory in her Group One triumph at Cambridge, setting up hopes of an emotional win.

“I hope I can do it for everyone. I will be doing everything I can,” Green said. “Murray was such a great person. He was always there if you wanted advice – he was someone you could always talk to.”

Green is one of the many successful horsepeople to have worked for Brown during his outstanding training career. The trainer-driver lines up a big team of 13 horses at Winton on Thursday.

Among them are her consistent maidens Heidsieck, Shergar, and Major Burns, who will square off against each other. “They are all racing well and are knocking on the door. You’d think they would all win one soon enough.”

Ginerva and Sure To Rise also go head-to-head, with the former set to start a short-priced favourite. “Ginerva went great first-up. The only worry with her is that she is backing up.”
“Sure To Rise has been going very honest races, and hopefully she can go another one.”

Raspalia and Just Like Jagger will also clash, with the former looking suited to the big Winton track. “I was happy with the way Just Like Jagger ran home last week.”
“She has the Silk Road Final next week, so hopefully she goes good and it keeps her ticking over for that.”

Emily, Samanthas Moon, and Spiritinthesky will clash again with Princess Sadie in Thursday’s Silk Road Trotting Series Final. Emily got within a neck of the favourite last week and looks the Green stable’s best chance. “She is just trotting so well at the moment. It is not going to be easy again, but she should hopefully go another nice race.”

Green also starts Rakero Lightning and Bobbies Rock at Winton. “Rakero Lightning is capable enough. She can spit the biscuit sometimes, but she would be a good chance if she can put her best foot forward.”

“The only worry with Bobbies Rock is that he seems to go his best races at Invercargill. Winton hasn’t been his best track and it is a handy enough field.”

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