Graeme Green looks to Barcaldine

By Glenn Davis

Just five months into his training comeback, Graeme Green will head to Barcaldine on Saturday in search of his first winner as a hobby trainer.

For Green, it’s a position he’s not accustomed to after a star-studded career with many top sprinters, including his favourite Master Jamie.

Master Jamie won a host of races in Brisbane and in Central and North Queensland including two successive Rockhampton Cups before retiring with more than $1.1 million in prizemoney with 19 wins and 23 placings from 64 starts.

Green trained at Grafton for many years and briefly at Deagon in Brisbane before spending two decades in Rockhampton.

A knee reconstruction forced his decision to give the full-time training caper away.

He now lives at Emerald in Central Queensland and has only two horses in work after a promising two-year-old was forced to the spelling paddock.

Green has had six starters in his second stint training and is hopeful either Rebelious Red in the Benchmark 60 or Outback Bandit in the Class 4 Plate can give him his first win as a hobby trainer.

Green paid $7,000 for Rebelious Red at an online auction off Gosford trainer Jake Hull.

The four-year-old son of Red Henno started five times for Hull for two wins.

Rebelious Red is coming off a last start second in a 1000 metre Benchmark race at Emerald on February 7 while Outback Bandit begins a second stint with Green.

“I trained Outback Bandit when he was a two-year-old before he went to Will Johnston and he’s now back with me,” Green said.

“I think he’ll run a big race and Rebelious Red also will be competitive.

“Rebelious Red is getting a bit dour and has lost his early speed so we’re stepping him up to 1200 metres.

“He should be able to race on the speed and be there at the end.”

Green is hoping Rebelious Red can earn a trip to Brisbane for the $200,000 Battle Of The Bush Final at Eagle Farm in June.

“I’m only training as a hobby in between trips away in the caravan,” he said.

“Our next trip is to Cairns in October but in the meantime, I’ll be going to the QTIS sales next week at the Gold Coast.

“Rebelious Red is only an average bush horse but hopefully after he has a break he’ll come back and try to qualify for the Battle Of The Bush Final in Brisbane.”