New era begins for Green at Mackay

By Glenn Davis

Rockhampton stalwart Graeme Green may have handed in his stopwatch but his involvement with racing continues as an owner at Mackay on Tuesday.

Green trained for two decades at Callaghan Park and is best known among racing followers as the trainer of former star galloper Master Jamie.

Master Jamie won a host of races in Brisbane and in Central and North Queensland including two successive Rockhampton Cups before retiring this year.

Green has decided to retire from training and will undergo surgery on both knees at the end of the month.

While his name is missing as a trainer in the form guide, it is still there as a part-owner of Astra Star who tackles the QTIS Three-Years-Old Handicap over 1100 metres in Mackay.

Astra Star was crowned last season’s Rockhampton’s Two-Year-Old Of The Year and is having his first start as a three-year-old for new trainer Kris Hansen.

The son of Cosmic Force has started eight times for three wins and four placings but hasn’t raced since winning over 1400 metres at Townsville in late July.

Green has lost some of his confidence for a winning return from Astra Star after the gelding drew barrier 11.

“He’s drawn awkwardly and I’ll be happy to see him finish midfield from out there,” Green said.

“He’s going into this race with only one barrier trial and I fear he may need the run.”

Long term, Green believes Astra Star could develop into a Rockhampton Cup horse.

“He’ll run 1600 metres, if not further eventually, and I think he could be a good Rocky Cup horse,” Green said.

Following Green’s retirement, Astra Star and two other horses from his stable were transferred to Hansen.

“We had 22 in work and we sent three to Kris and nine others owned by Helen Yeates went to Trevor Rowe in Cairns and a few other trainers," Green said.

“We also sold four online and I kept three to race with Kris and Will Johnston in Rocky.”

Hansen is the son of respected Rockhampton trainer Kevin Hansen and has been involved in racing most of his life.

He was an apprentice jockey for his father before weight ended a promising career when his family was based at Ipswich.

He also worked as a track rider and foreman and gained valuable knowledge from his stint with top Sydney trainer John Hawkes as well as working for Gillian Heinrich and former trainer Bryan Guy at the Gold Coast.