By Glenn Davis
The long hours driving back and forth from Rockhampton have become second nature to trainer Graeme Green, but he’s hopeful it will all be rewarded when talented filly Kotabharu starts at Ipswich on Wednesday.
Kotabharu faces a distance test when she runs past a mile for the first time in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap over 2210 metres.
“I’ve gone through two cars in the last 10 years travelling my horses and I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been to Brisbane lately,” Green said.
“There’s no suitable races around for Kotabharu here in Rocky so I drove her down to Brisbane last Saturday and came back, and I’m going back again for tomorrow’s race.
“She’s been screaming out for more ground and she gives every indication she’ll run a trip.
“She’s drawn barrier 9 but that won’t worry her as she’ll get back and settle.
“It’s her first go past 1600 metres and I’m sure she’ll be very competitive.”
Kotabharu is a daughter of Hallowed Crown out of the American-bred mare Olivine, and was bought by Green for $22,000 at the Magic Millions QTIS March sales.
She had won three of her nine starts and is coming off a last start fourth to Bantu Bay over 1600 metres at Rockhampton on April 29.
“We liked her sire so we took a punt buying her as she's out of an imported American dam,” Green said.
“She’s named after one of the biggest ports in the Philippines and she’s got a very strong pedigree on the dam’s side.”