Carrera heads to Oaks final

It’s easy to sense that harness racing trainer Kirstin Green has a high opinion of Carrera Sunset (Downbytheseaside).

When talking to her after the three-year-old filly impressively won at the Wairio meeting today she said, “She’s got speed. I think she’s got a bit of bottom to her, and she’ll be better over distance. We think a bit of her.”

From gate two Green took the filly who was backed into $1.90 favourite, straight to the front and she won easily by two and a half lengths from the much-improved Chemmy (Auckland Reactor).

Carrera Sunset was bred by Christchurch based Paul Bielby.

“Paul rang me out of the blue to see if I’d like to take her on a training deal. He got her jogged up and sent her down.”

Green shares the ownership with Bielby and Tash Waddell and today her mental state was put to the test when she had to deal with a false start.

“It didn’t worry her. I was quite surprised because it was only her second time at the races and I thought it would have fizzed her up but nah, she was as happy as.”

It’s been noticeable that Green’s had to manage the talented filly at workouts, trials and on race day. But she’s worked out a routine that suits Carerra Sunset.

“She can be a bit highly strung at times. She’s a funny wee horse because once you get her out on the track and give her a walk she settles down. If you just let her go out and run, she can get a bit silly.”

Green says every time she’s taken the filly off the property she’s improved.

“She was working well at home and then I thought we’d go to the workouts. I thought I’d taken her a bit soon but every time we’ve gone to a workout, she’s impressed me.”

Carrera Sunset is now set to start in the final heat of the Nevele R/Macca Lodge Southern Oaks series at Wyndham in a weeks time.

“She’s a lightly framed filly so we’ll start in the last heat then go to the final. I’ll tip her out after that and hopefully she’ll furnish a bit more over winter. Hopefully she’ll come back better after a long spell.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink