“Eager to bag even more winners”

Mulgoa-based horseman Lleyton Green has stamped himself as a star on the rise in harness racing in the Sydney basin, aided by his association with the McDowell family’s Allied Express Racing enterprise.

Green enjoyed a successful 2021 season, driving 53 winners and 109 placings from his 411 race drives, an impressive tally by any reinsman’s standards.

But at just 18, Green is not resting on his laurels, setting his sights even higher in 2022.

“Scoring more than 50 winners in a season is a healthy score,” said Green.

“But I am eager to bag even more winners in the current season to establish myself as a sought-after driver by trainers.

“I am only young and want to keep taking the small steps to make a name for myself in the sport.

“That said, I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of the McDowell family, who are so good to me.

“I will remain loyal to them to repay the faith they have placed in my ability.”

Green, who is closing in on the significant milestone of 100 winners in his short career, heads to Bankstown this afternoon oozing with confidence for what he describes as a solid book of drives on the six-race program.

His best drive for the afternoon comes up in the last when he partners dual Group 1 winner Michelle Lee Mac.

Drawn in gate three, the mare looks well graded with Green only having a slight reservation on how she will handle the longer 2140 metre trip.

“Michelle appears to be a graded moral in that event, given that she has raced in top company right throughout her career,” he said.

“Admittedly she is better suited over the mile, but I am sure she will cope with the extra distance if I am able to produce her at the right time.”

Green also fancies Chezmac (Race 4) on an each-way basis.

Second-up from a spell, Chezmac has a love affair with the Bankstown circuit and should gain a suitable run in transit from her second line draw.

“Chezmac has been working well at home and gets into a winnable race,” he said.

“I plan to have her in the running line and hope that the speed will be on from the start.

“If that is the case, I am confident she can finish in the placings.”

To view the fields for Bankstown on Monday click here.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW