By Brigette Solomon
Morrinsville trainer Danielle Green almost didn’t believe it when she scored her first training win at Cambridge last night when Shirley Bassey took out the IRT Your Horse Our Passion Mobile Pace.
“It was pretty exciting but it took a minute to register that she’d actually won,” said Green, “I’d watched the race with Warren Taylor who owns her and I said ‘did she just win?’”
“He had a laugh and assured me she had, so I gave him a hug and thought I better get down to the winners' circle!”
Driven by junior driver Monika Ranger, Shirley Bassey started the 1700 metre race from barrier 1 and Ranger drove her positively off the mobile to land in the trail behind leader Jahi. With the race run at an even tempo, Ranger awaited the passing lane and Shirley Bassey battled hard to get past the leader and score her maiden win by a neck at odds of $7.90.
The win came at the six year old mare’s 36th start, although she also has several placings to her name.
“The reality of it is she’s a Tuesday horse and she’s had four starts for me this season for a win, and two placings all at Cambridge,” says Green, “having Monika drive her also means she gets half points and I’m pretty keen on giving the junior drivers and especially the females plenty of support.”
“For now Shirley Bassey will stick to racing at Cambridge, and maybe head to Palmerston North and the few grass meetings over summer.”
Through family, Green has always been involved in racing, with her grandfather and father having both trained and it’s the family colours that Green now races her team in. She has also had stints working for the likes of Brent Mangos and Arna Donnelly, and more recently helped out Ross Paynter and Mark Purdon.
The 26-year-old originally trained in partnership with her father Paul Green last season, before taking full charge this season in her own right. The partnership had several placings but hadn’t broken through for that elusive first win.
“I have just a couple of other horses on the go, Margarita who has won a couple and a young Highview Tommy who I hope to qualify in a couple of months,” said Green, “alongside the horses, I’ve just completed the first year of my painting apprenticeship so after the horses in the morning I’m straight off to work.”
“Since taking up training in my own right, Dad has been a huge support, he’s out there every day helping me,” said Green, “I couldn’t do it without him and I’m really grateful to have him around.”
