Green and Dewe ready for Southern Surge

The Diamond Creek/SBSR Southern Surge Finals at Gore tomorrow are the winter finale for Southern Harness racing. Kirsten Green has prepared nine runners for the event and Winton horseman Tyler Dewe has three entered.

All surge finals are worth $25,000 and most fields are full and competitive.

Raspalia’s (Johny Rock) form has dropped away after she strung two wins together in June. She gets a mid-front row draw in Race Two for Green.

“She’s working super. She was unlucky last week and hit the line well. With a bit of luck she’s more than capable of getting a bit of money,” she said.

Tyler is looking after Lady Whistledown (What The Hill) for Winton trainer Jamie Campbell who’s currently on holiday. The trotter is down to start in Race Three.

“She’s a horse with a bit of talent but doesn’t have too much ringcraft. The day she trots will be the day she goes close to winning,” Dewe said.

Artmore (Art Major) gets a nice marble in Race Four for Dewe. After two solid thirds she over raced at her last start, finishing eighth.

“She won’t do that again. I’ve taken the blinds off and put the anti-choking device back on to give the driver a bit more control. We’ll go back to driving her in behind. I’d say she’d be first to the markers and hand to whatever one she wants to.”

Green has four runners in Race Six – Ginerva (Bettor’s Delight), Sure To Rise (Lazarus), Mind Philly (Art Major) and Shergar (Bettor’s Delight).

Ginerva was impressive when winning her last start at Ascot Park.

“She’s gone good races every time this time in. She’s a big overgrown filly who’s heading to the paddock after Sunday. She’s got a bit of bottom to her but going round on the tight track I’m not sure whether that will trip her up.”

Sure To Rise had no luck in the race won by Ginerva and couldn’t be fully driven out.

“She’s a handy wee horse. I overdrove her in a couple of her starts. I thought last time I’d drive her for luck and she went super. I was pretty unlucky in the end. She’s drawn poorly (8) and it’s pretty hard from out there. We’ll be relying on luck again.”

Mind Philly worked hard in the same race and dropped out, finishing last. She draws three on the second row on Sunday.

“She’s trained on well. She’s another one that’s going to be banking on luck. Hopefully she can get a go at them late.”

Green’s last runner Shergar got the perfect trip at his last start and after hitting the lead early in the run home was run down late, finishing a close fifth.

“It was an improvement on his start before. He can be a bit in and out. Once again he hasn’t got the best of draws. Of the four in that race I’d have to put Ginerva on top. She’s got the better draw and has quite a bit of speed.”

Spiritinthesky (Father Patrick) trained by Green has a solid formline but faces tough opposition in Race Seven.

“She’s honest and she does trot round those small tracks well, so she’s got manners on her side.”

Kirstin’s runner in Race Eight Major Burns, (Art Major) was posted wide at his last start. He gets a good draw on Sunday at two.

“It’s a tough field with Nathan’s (She’s Crunchy) and Craig’s ones (Saucy Delight) looking pretty smart so if we can get a nice run and get a place, I’d be more than happy.”

Dewe’s Trotting mare Lil Whip (Father Patrick) has shown solid form since May, winning three of her six starts. Four of her five wins have been in standing start races. She’ll race in Race Nine.

“She was probably a wee bit disappointing last week by my standards but in saying that she hadn’t had a run for close to a month. She got knocked over in the Winter Rewards and she was battling a leg infection. It’s a bonus (having) drawn inside Mixed Faith. If she can get away quickly she won’t have to go round them.”

Green’s runner in the ninth is Emily (imperial Count) who’s in the form of her life having won two of her last three starts. She’s a sole runner off the ten metre mark.

“She’s been a wee gem who’s raced so well all winter and deserved her last start win. She’ll need a bit of luck from the second line. Hopefully she can get a good run through.”

Share A Dream (Art Major) for Dewe has impressively won his last two starts using his trademark powerful finish.

He will start as one of the favourites in Race Ten.

“I think he’s got better, which is scary to say. He had a nice trial on Saturday and really savaged the line so he’s tickity boo heading into Sunday.”

Green rounds out her busy day in Race Eleven, with Bobbies Rock (A Rocknroll Dance) who’s drawn barrier six in a small field of eight.

“He’s done too well. I thought he was ready last start but he still blew up over the back. He’s an older horse. We gave him a bit of a let-up and he’s piled on the condition. He seems pretty good and you’d think he’d be better this week. He’s pretty good round Gore and he’s won there before.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink