ROSEHILL, March 4, 2010 – On Sunday Tim Martin will venture to Canberra with smart gallopers The Mikado and Hello Pretty along with promising two-year-olds Lohan and Sasa in three of the club’s major races of the year.

Lohan and Sasa will represent the stable in the feature race of the day, the $250,000 Listed Black Opal Stakes over 1200m.

Lohan resumes from a spell after winning two of her first four starts while Sasa goes into the race of a top debut effort when third behind Black Opal favourite Decision Time.

“I’m really happy with both fillies,” Martin said. “Lohan’s trial was very good the other day while Sasa has improved since her debut.

‘Both of them have drawn awkwardly out in 14 and 15 and with their racing styles I’d have to say it won’t hurt Sasa as much as the other filly.

“The way the cards have fallen it’s hard to say they are better than an each-way chance.”

The Mikado runs in the $100,000 Canberra Guineas over 1400m.

Last Saturday, The Mikado had his final hit out when a solid third in the Fireball quality at Rosehill over 1100m and martin said the race has the horse right on target for Sunday.

“That run topped him off perfectly for the Canberra Guineas,” Martin said. “This is the race he’s been set for this preparation and I expect him to run one heck of a race.

“I can’t fault him this week and drawing the inside gate is perfect.

“I expect him to prove hard to beat.”

While The Mikado drew well, the same could not be said for Hello Pretty who runs in the $100,000 Listed National Sprint over 1400m.

Hello Pretty drew poorly in barrier 19 and Martin said it’s a real blow after the former Hong Kong galloper returned with a slashing effort when fifth behind Madibagold at Rosehill a fortnight ago.

“I was really keen on him until I saw the barriers,” he said. “The horse has really thrived since coming into work this prep and his first-up run was a cracker.

“From the draw it makes things pretty tricky but if he can get a mountain of luck then I’ve got no doubt he’s going good enough to be right in the thick of it.”

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ROSEHILL, March 4, 2010 – Tim Martin has put his Stakes winning mare Teasing on notice when she lines up in the National Jockey Celebration Handicap at Warwick Farm this Saturday.

The seven-year-old daughter of More Than Ready took out the Group III Missile Stakes during the spring of last year but her two starts this preparation has seen her struggling to recapture her best form.

“I stuck my head over her box yesterday an told her that another disappointing run will see her heading off to stud,” Martin joked.

Martin said while Teasing had race below his expectations, he was preparing for some sharp improvement on Saturday.

“To be fair to her Saturday will be the first time she’s as fit as she needs to be to be a genuine winning hope at this level,” Marin said.

“There hasn’t been a great deal around for her before now so I’ve taken my time to get her ready.

“That doesn’t take away from the fact I have expected more than what she has delivered but the signs have been there at home since her last run to suggest she’ll be a lot more competitive this weekend.”

Martin said Teasing is a victim of her own success and continues to get big weights which he’s offset to a degree by securing promising 3kg apprentice Taylor Lovelock-Wiggins.

“She’s still got to give weight to some pretty handy gallopers in this but they will run along and that will suit her,” he said.

“Hopefully she goes as well as I think she will and she can stay for a few more runs.”

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ROSEHILL, February 27, 2010 – The Tim Martin-trained Monton taken out the Group II Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

Many didn’t give the outsider a winning chance and even his trainer was sceptical about the horse’s prospects going into the race.

“I’m a bit speechless,’ Martin said. “I threw him into the deep end today more hopeful than confident but I’m glad I did.”

Martin said the horse would now be set for a shot at Saturday week’s Group I Randwick Guineas and a repeat of his performance in the Hobartville would give him a genuine chance.

“I suppose we’ll have to have a crack at the Randwick Guineas now,” he said. “The beauty of him is that he goes on all types of going so you couldn’t rule him out.”

Ridden back off the speed by Jay Ford, Monton ($31) charged through an opening inside the final 300 metres before charging away over the final stages to win by 1-1/2 lengths.

“I knew at the 600 metres he was going to be hard to beat,” Martin said. “He was three pairs back on the fence and getting a lovely run and it was just a matter of getting a shot at the right time.

“He’s a horse that I’ve always had a good opinion of but gelding him at the end of his last prep has been the making of him.”

Queensland gallopers Shoot Out ($6) and Captain Sonador ($41) found the line strongly to round out the placings while the favourite Manhattan Rain ($2.70), looked the winner when he charged to the front in the straight but he wilted over the final 100 metres and finished fifth.

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ROSEHILL, February 25, 2010 – The prospect of a dry track and a hot speed has trainer Tim Martin believing The Mikado will be in the thick of the action in the Fireball Quality (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

The talented son of Danehill Dancer goes into the race after finishing a satisfactory sixth behind Shoot Out in the Royal Sovereign Stakes, an effort that had Martin more than pleased.

“He’s nowhere near as affective on the wet ground and he wasn’t too far away from them so I was pretty pleased with his effort,” Martin said.

The Rosehill trainer did issue one warning heading into Saturday about The Mikado’s prospects.

“He’s being targeted at the Canberra Guineas a week later so the 1100 metres on Saturday isn’t ideal,” he said.

“In saying that he’ll improve on a dry track and there does look to be a mountain of speed so if they go silly, he’ll be flying home.

“I just wish the race was over 1200 metres.”

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ROSEHILL, February 25, 2010 – The Martin Racing team will be represented by two stable runners in Saturday’s Group II Hobartville Stakes over 1400m at Rosehill.

Last start winner Monton will be “thrown into the deep end” and classy filly Indian Ocean will also take on the boys.

“It’s not an easy race but it fits in well for where we’re going with Indian Ocean and Monton deserves his chance,” Martin said.

Indian Ocean resumed in the Light Fingers Stakes and was starting to warm up when the race was all over, finishing sixth behind More Joyous.

Martin said Indian Ocean will go to the race a fitter horse and he’s expecting a solid effort from his Oaks bound three-year-old.

“She’s probably going to find these too sharp for her but I’m happy with where she’s at,” he said.

“I just want to see her finding the line.”

Monton goes into the race with a last start win over subsequent metropolitan winner Rock Classic.

Martin said the gelding faces a big ask but he’s keen to see how the horse measures up.

“It’s a massive class rise but he has earned a shot at a good race and I’m interested to see how he handles it,” he said.

“He hasn’t put a foot wrong since his last win and from barrier one he should get a nice run.

“Don’t leave him out of your trifectas because I think he might shock a few people.”

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ROSEHILL, February 18, 2010 – The Tim Martin racing stables continues its build-up for the autumn carnival with two contenders lining up at Rosehill on Saturday.

Stakes winning mare Teasing will go around in the Listed Triscay Stakes after the consistent sprinter disappointed first up when following her rivals home on January 30.

Martin said he expects the seven-year-old mare to show dramatic improvement if the track remains rain affected but he has a query over the 1200 metre trip.

“There isn’t a lot around for her so that’s why she’s running in a 1200 metre race but all the signs at home are that she will run well,” Martin said. “She’s well drawn, has a good record at Rosehill.

“The track is slow at the moment and she’s unbeaten in slow conditions.

“She is going to improve again on whatever she does but with the big weight over 1200 metres I’m struggling to get confident.”

Former top Hong Kong galloper Hello Pretty resumes from a spell and Martin said he expects the eight-year-old to make a name for himself during the autumn.

Hello Pretty runs in Theslipper.com.au Handicap over 1200m.

Martin believes the Group I placed galloper has really taken to his Austrlaian surroundings this preparation and while he’ll improve from Saturday’s run, he’s expecting a bold first-up showing.

“He took a while to settle in last prep and when we finally got him right he suffered a minor setback,” he said.

“We could have worked through it as it wasn’t major but he’s an old horse and I thought it was in our best interests to forget the spring and look to the autumn.

“I reckon I made the right decision as he is really pleasing me and I think he’ll run pretty well on Saturday.”

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ROSEHILL, February 18, 2010 – Tim Martin has elected to utilise the 3kg claim of Kody Nestor aboard Monton as the horse targets his second straight Rosehill win on Saturday.

The improving three-year-old was give 58kg after leading all the way over 1400 metres on his home track on February 6 and Martin said he hopes by claiming he can gain an edge.

“Kody is a good strong rider and his 3kg claim does get us well in at the weights,” he said. “The horse is fit and well but if I do have a query it will be the final 50 metres of the 1500m.

“Hopefully from barrier 1 he’ll get a soft passage and that will help.”

Another of the stable’s Saturday runners is the beautifully bred daughter of Encosta De Lago, Sasa who debuts in the Rosehill Gardens Event Centre Handicap over 1200m.

The two-year-old filly was fitted up for her first start with a solid second behind the speedy Cosmo Gal in a 900-metre Rosehill trial on February 2.

“She’s a lovely filly but it won’t be easy on Saturday,” Martin said. “There are a couple of smart colts in the race who have the advantage of race experience and fitness.

“She’s a filly that will appreciate more ground with some time but I’m sure she won’t disgrace herself and will be hitting the line.”

Rounding out the team for the weekend is Rock Home Late in the Golden Slipper Festival Handicap over 1500m.

Martin said punters should forgive the former Melbourne galloper or his last start failure a fortnight ago attributing the below par performance to the heavy track.

“He didn’t handle it for one stride,” he said. “From where I sit this bloke is going to improve and improve sharply on the weekend.

“He is going to the race much fitter and the trip is going to suit him down to the ground.

“I think he has a good each-way chance in a tricky race.”

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ROSEHILL, February 11, 2010 – Stakes winning filly Indian Ocean is set to turn heads when she resumes in Saturday’s $150,000 Group II Light Fingers Stakes at Randwick.

The daughter of Danehill Dancer is in great shape heading into her autumn campaign according to trainer Tim Martin.

“She’s had an incident free campaign and I couldn’t be happier heading into Saturday,” Martin said.

“She had a couple of problems after the Golden Slipper last year so I only gave her a light campaign late in the spring and she has really blossomed into a magnificent filly.

“I always said you wouldn’t see the best of her until the autumn of her three-year-old season and the signs are there to suggest she’s in for a big campaign.”

Martin knows Indian Ocean faces a stiff first-up task taking on the likes of More Joyous and Trim but he said the addition of blinkers to Indian Ocean’s gear will see his charge right on her game.

“She’s had the two trials and she is pretty close to the mark,” he said.

“I have always thought she’d be a better horse in the blinkers and her work in them has been very good.

“I know More Joyous and the like will be hard to beat over 1200 metres but if there are any chinks in their armour then it wouldn’t surprise me one bit of my filly takes advantage.

“I think she has a super each-way chance.”

TAB Sportsbet are offering $26 about Indian Ocean’s chances in the Light Fingers.

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ROSEHILL, February 11, 2010 – Trainer Tim Martin knows his three-year-old colt, The Mikado, faces a tough test in Saturday’s Group II Royal Sovereign Stakes at Randwick but he believes the horse deserves his shot.

The Mikado resumed from a spell and had plenty of support when winning first-up from a spell at Randwick on January 30.

“He’s a horse that has had his problems in the past but they are behind him at the moment and he’s going pretty well,” Martin said.

“He’s taken plenty of benefit from the first-up win and his work since has gone to another level.”

Martin said the Royal Sovereign is a “strong race” with Manhattan Rain and Demerit appearing the hardest to beat but he’s confident The Mikado will prove more than competitive.

“In the spring he was about four lengths off Denman in the Golden Rose and the lead-up and he raced without luck,” he said.

“From where I sit he’s going better now than he was last year so provided the rain stays away I definitely think he has a good place chance at worst.”

The stable’s other runner at Randwick on Saturday in Rock Home Late who backs up quickly after failing on the heavy track at Rosehill last Saturday.

Martin is warning punters to expect an improved effort by the four-year-old gelding in the Bacardi Handicap.

“As a rule I’m not one to back a horse up in seven days after a run on a heavy track but I really think that run has done the horse the world of good,” he said.

“He goes into Saturday fit and happy and I don’t think it is that stronger race.

“He going to improve off last week’s run and I think he’s got a hope in an even race.”

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ROSEHILL, February 6, 2010 – It was Tim Martin’s intention to scratch Monton due to the heavy track on Saturday but fortunately a lack of suitable races in the next week saw the Rosehill horseman change his mind at the last minute, which was a winning decision.

“When I knew the track was going to be heavy I wasn’t going to run him but there was nothing around for him,” Martin said.

“I also wasn’t happy when he draw the outside but that also turned out to be a blessing.

“It’s a funny game racing.”

At his last two starts Monton had travelled back in the field after beginning slowly, but it wasn’t the case this week with the gelding flying out of the barriers and he landed outside the leader and favourite Modonna.

Monton never gave Modonna a moment of peace and when they straightened the filly was quickly beaten off while Monton strode clear before getting tired late but he’d established a winning break that his rivals couldn’t overhaul.

“He’s always shown good ability and he’s really starting to deliver now,” Martin said.

“I’m not going to raise the bar too high just yet, We’ll probably come back and run him in a 1500 metre race in a fortnight.

“He’s a BOBS horse and these races are worth $60,000 a go so we’ll just keep chipping away.”

Monton ($7) defeated the Bart Cummings-trained Rock Classic ($7) by a neck with Leicester Square ($7.50) a long head away in third.

The 1400m was covered in 1.25.77 seconds with the final 600m run in 36.41 seconds.

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ROSEHILL, February 4, 2010 – Persistent rain in Sydney’s west is threatening the makeup of Tim Martin’s team for Rosehill on Saturday.

Martin has accepted with five of his team but Zuzela is a confirmed scratching with her trainer preferring a race at Randwick on Friday.

Of the remaining four runners, three are in doubt, Monton in the Shift2Neutral Handicap and Kelly along with Jealous Guy in the Reduce Your Carbon Hoofprint Handicap.

“We’ve had quite a bit of rain at Rosehill and I read on racenet where Lindsay Murphy the track manager said he’s expecting the track to be heavy on Saturday,” Martin said.

“If that’s the case I doubt than Monton, Kelly and Jealous Guy won’t run.”

Regardless of the track condition the remaining team member Rock Home Late will take his place in the Veolia Environmental Services Handicap.

A relatively new addition to the stable, Rock Home Late make his debut for Martin when an encouraging seventh at Randwick on Australia Day.

Martin said the four-year-old has improved since his debut for the stable and the increased distance will be more to his liking on Saturday.

“He needed the run first-up but has taken plenty of improvement from it so I’d expect he’ll run a better race on Saturday,” he said.

“He was only beaten 3.4 lengths at Randwick and I was pretty happy with his effort to be honest.

“The step up to 1300 will suit him better and I think from a good draw he’s got an each-way hope.”

Martin said if the rain does clear and the track dries out he expects Monton and Jealous Guy to be the stables best chances.

“Monton’s drawn terribly in 12 but he’ll go back ad is racing well,” he said.

“If he runs and has luck then he’s got a winning chance.

“Jealous Guy is in a tough race and also drawn badly in 15 but he’s going great guns at the moment and has each-way prospects on a track rated dead or better.”

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RANDWICK, January 6, 2010 – The three-year-old colt Monton gave Tim Martin a great start to the year rounding out a winning double in the Little Bay Handicap (1000m) at Randwick on the Kensington track on Wednesday.

First-up from a spell and having just his fourth start, Monton produced a powerful finish to record his first career win.

“It’s always good to win but to start 2010 with two winners is great,” Martin said.

After beginning on terms wit the field, Monton got squeezed up and after the interference he was second last but jockey Chris Munce bided his time.

In the straight, Munce waited patiently for a run to come and when it did he drove Monton through the ruck and finished powerfully to record a strong win.

“I thought he was gone at the start but Chris did the right thing being patient,” Martin said.

“The key was when he cut the corner, I thought the better going was out wide but he saved a few lengths and got the job done.

“He’s a horse we’ve always had a bit of time for so hopefully he can go right on with it now.”

The win ended a frustrating run of outs for jockey Chris Munce who had been out of the winners list for more than 50 rides.

“I thought it was all over at the start but it might have been a blessing because they went pretty hard and he got home pretty strong,” Munce said.

The placings and margins: Monton (Chris Munce) 55kg ($4.80) defeated De Lilly (Corey Brown) 53kg ($3) by 1-1/2 lengths with a neck back to Dublette (Grant Buckley) 53kg ($30) in third place.

Winner’s breeding – Monton is a three-year-old colt by Catbird out of Dynamic Flyer (Marauding(NZ)).

The time and sectionals – The field covered the 1000 metres in 57.43 with the last 600 metres run in 33.45 seconds.

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RANDWICK, January 6, 2010 – It took all of Hugh Bowman’s hard and vigorous riding but the Tim Martin-trained Just A Touch delivered the goods in the Bronte Handicap (1550m) at Randwick on the Kensington track on Wednesday.

Backed from $2.80 into $2.40, Just A Touch was sent out the punters elect and while his supporters were nervous for much of the straight he arrived when it matters most.

“It was the right race for him and Hughie rode him a treat,” Martin said.

After beginning well, Just A Touch camped behind the leader Davala who was running along at a decent gallop before Bowman started to make his move nearing the home turn.

On straightening, Just A Touch was within two lengths of the leader and with Bowman throwing everything at the gelding he gained the upper hand inside the final 50 metres before going onto win.

“It was a slog,” Martin said.

“He’s not the best horse in the stable but he tries hard and he’s proof that you can find the right races for most horses.”

Martin said he’ll be trying to find another “winnable race” for Just A Touch moving forward.

Champion jockey Jim Cassidy’s wife Vicki part owns Just A Touch and when Bowman was told there may be a sling from his rival he responded with “I won’t be holding my breath”.

“He’s an even running type horse and he didn’t find much when I let him off the bit but he found enough,” Bowman said.

The placings and margins: Just A Touch (Hugh Bowman) 55kg ($2.40) defeated Da Vista (Peter Robl) 53kg ($20) by a long head with a short neck back to Davala (Kathy O’Hara) 53kg ($5) in third place.

Winner’s breeding – Just A Touch is a four-year-old gelding by Untouchable out of Bental Sharen (NZ) (Zabeel(NZ)).

The time and sectionals – The field covered the 1550 metres in 1.32.30 with the last 600 metres run in 35.96 seconds.

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ROSEHILL, December 31, 2009 – Rosehill trainer Tim Martin believes Ashbaa is capable of overcoming a rise in class and recording back to back wins in the City Tattersalls Club Handicap over 1400m at Randwick on Friday.

The son of the ill fated Anabaa, Ashbaa found plenty when needed to defeat the promising Thankgodyou’rehere at Rosehill on December 9 and Martin said the horse has thrived since that run.

“He hasn’t gone backwards that’s for sure,” he said.

“His work has been good and I’m looking forward to seeing how he performs on Friday.”

Martin added the New Year’s day contest has more depth than the race Ashbaa last contested but he believes the gelding is still improving and can again measure up.

“It’s tougher, there’s no doubt about that but this horse is improving all the time and I think he goes into this in better shape than his last start,” he said.

“He’ll roll forward again and it will be catch us if you can.

“I’m expecting him to run another bold race.”

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ROSEHILL, December 23, 2009 – Trainer Tim Martin expects Scouting Wide to prove a tough nut to crack in the Group III Summer Cup at Randwick on Boxing Day.

Martin said he was undecided whether or not to back the Zabeel gelding up after his gutsy front running win in the Listed Christmas Cup over Saturday’s distance of 2400 metres on December 12.

“It was such a tough effort the other day that I wasn't sure whether to run him in this race,” Martin said.

"But he’s done so well and continues to do so why not."

Scouting Wide will be attempting to emulate the feat of the Gerald Ryan-trained Ready To Lift who claimed the Christmas-Summer Cup double last year.

Martin himself is aiming to win his second Summer Cup after winning the race five years ago with This Manshood.

“It's not the strongest Summer Cup I've seen but in saying that it's a tough race to win,” Martin said.

"The horse is fit and well and we are hoping he can deliver some more Christmas goodies 24-hours after the big fella does."

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ROSEHILL, December 23, 2009 – Tim Martin is confident his impressive last start winner Zuzela can step up to Saturday’s task in the Paul Curran Handicap (1600m) at Randwick.

The lightly raced daughter of Redoute’s Choice toyed with her rivals first-up at Hawkesbury when romping home to a four length win on December 13.

“She was impressive at Hawkesbury and I think she’s right up to this,” Martin said.

“It’s not an easy mares race for this time of year but you have to have a dip at some point and she’s going very well.

“She’s definitely got each-way claims and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if she proved to be better than them.”

The remaining runner for the stable on Saturday is another of Villiers winning owner Gerry Harvey’s team, Lupara in the Aqua D’Amore Handicap over 1600m.

Martin is backing the mare up after disappointing last Saturday at Kembla when finishing sixth in a 1400m Benchmark 65 Handicap.

“She had excuses last week,” Martin said. “She was probably in the worst part of the track and she is looking for the mile.

“She gets her trip here, won her last race on the quick back up but there’s no doubting she’s rising in grade.

“I wouldn’t rule her out, she has each-way claims.”

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ROSEHILL, December 12, 2009 – A daring ride by Tye Angland has proved the key to the Tim Martin-trained Scouting Wide winning the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

“The plan was to lead but that was a very brave, courageous ride and it worked,” Martin’s stable foreperson Mary McGrath said.

Angland set the tall and gangly son of Zabeel alight shortly after the start and he charged to the front, continuing to put his foot down out of the straight which ensured a strong staying test.

As the field swung into the back straight, Scouting Wide was four lengths clear of his nearest rival with a further eight to 10 lengths back to the remainder of the field.

Angland gave Scouting Wide a breather passing the 1200 metres and his rivals steadilly closed the gap before the leading duo got going again 600 metres from home.

In the straight, Bright Mind burst from the pack and appeared set to get the upper hand on the tiring Scouting Wide but Scouting Wide got his second wind inside the final 200 metres, fighting off the challenge to claim the $100,000 feature.

“I spoke to Tim this morning and the plan was to go to the front and make it a test,” Angland said. “He’s a real staying type even if it’s a genuinely run tempo he can’t really quicken off it.

“He knocked up late but he was entitled to because I made him do the work and he stuck on great.”

Managing part owner Peter Horwitz said the plan was to spell Scouting Wide after the Christmas Cup but the win will probably force a re-think with the Summer Cup run at Randwick on Boxing Day.

“We’d agreed to give him a break after today and set him for the Brisbane Cup then onto Melbourne but we’ll see what happens,” Horwitz said.

The cracking tempo took its toll on most of the eight runners but not so Bright Mind who chased the winner from the 600 metres and the earlier than normal effort told late when he died on his run over the final 100 metres before finishing second with the favourite Star Ripper battling the best of the rest to claim third.

The placings and margins: Scouting Wide (Tye Angland) 53kg ($8) defeated Bright Mind (Kerrin McEvoy) 53kg ($26) by a neck with 3-1/2 lengths back to Star Ripper (Glyn Schofield) 53kg ($2.20 fav) in third place.

Winner’s breeding – Scouting Wide is a five-year-old gelding by Zabeel (NZ) out of Gardd (USA) (Sheikh Albadou (GB)).

The time and sectionals – The field covered the 2400 metres in the time of 2.28.55 with the last 600 metres run in 37.65 seconds.

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ROSEHILL, December 10, 2009 – In-form trainer Tim Martin believes Scouting Wide will be in the thick of action in Saturday’s $100,000 Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

The consistent Zabeel gelding has been racing consistently this preparation with two wins and four seconds from his six starts.

On Saturday, Scouting Wide will clash with recent rivals Star Ripper and Merinsky Reef and Martin said there is one significant factor that the trainer believes can see him turn the tables on Star Ripper.

“On Saturday he’ll meet Star Ripper 2kgs better than he did a fortnight ago,” he said.

“That should bring them closer, whether it will cover the 2-1/4 lengths, time will tell, but I’m happy with my horse.”

Martin said Scouting Wide is still very “raw” when it comes to five-year-old geldings and despite him being of a mature age for a racehorse, mentally he’s still like a teenager.

“He’s still learning so every time we put a bridle on him for raceday he improves,” he said. “He’s a talented horse and has the ability to win a race like this, it’s more a matter of if he’s ready yet.

“At the end of the day he’ll only benefit from the experience but I do expect he’ll be very competitive.

Martin regards the topweight Music Review and the in-form Star Ripper as the two hardest horses to beat.

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ROSEHILL, December 9, 2009 – After enduring a bucking display by a mount earlier in the day, apprentice Blake Spriggs had the last laugh when booting home Ashbaa in the Jeld Wen Group Handicap at Rosehill on Wednesday.

Spriggs blamed a new girth strap for pinching his mount Sarkosy in the Bay Timber Handicap before the five-year-old bucked like a rodeo bronco for about 600 metres but the young horseman remained in the saddle.

“I was too scared to fall off,” Spriggs said. “I was just hoping he’d stop and when he did I was very relived.”

Two races later Spriggs joined forces with Tim Martin and Ashbaa.

Driven out of the gates Ashbaa took up the running and despite looking vulnerable on a couple of occasions in the straight the five-year-old managed to fend off the challengers and record a good win.

“Racing is full of highs and lows,” Spriggs said. “Earlier in the day they were cheering me when Sarkosy went past the post a couple of furlongs behind them and now they are cheering because we got the job done.

“He’s a nice big strong horse with a high cruising speed so I’d expect him to o onto bigger and better things.”

Martin said Ashbaa’s ability to cover a bit of ground is the key to the horse’s future prospects.

“Early on I thought he might be a speedy squib but with a bit of maturity things are changing,” Martin said. “I reckon we might be able to squeeze him out to a mile and if so then his future looks bright.”

Martin went onto say there are no serious plans in the coming few weeks with the Rosehill trainer preferring to “find another suitable race” and learning more about the five-year-old gelding.

The Pat and Wayne Webster-trained Thankgodyou’rehere stalked the winner the entire way and although unable to overhaul it, he finished off strongly to claim second with Majestic Gem back in third.

The placings and margins: Ashbaa (Blake Spriggs a3) 53kg ($7) defeated Thankgodyou’rehere (Rod Quinn) 53kg ($5.50) by a neck with two lengths back to Majestic Gem (Josh Adams a3) 56.5kg ($15) in third place.

Winner’s breeding – Ashbaa is a five-year-old gelding by Anabaa (USA) out of Kimash (Jeune (GB)).

The time and sectionals – The field covered the 1300 metres in the time of 1.16.99 with the last 600 metres run in 35.15 seconds.

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CANTERBURY, December 3, 2009 – The Gerry Harvey-owned Lupara has broken through for her first metropolitan win in the Rosehill Trailer Boat Show Handicap over 1250m at Canterbury on Thursday.

The win was Lupara’s second within a week and took the daughter of Encosta De Lago’s record to two wins from four starts after recording her maiden win at Newcastle when resuming on November 28.

Ridden by Jay Ford, Lupara was afforded a lovely trail behind the speed from barrier 1 and when a run presented around the leader on straightening the three-year-old filly seized the opportunity and surged to the front before defying the challengers.

“She’s always shown a bit and from the barrier she was advantaged,” winning trainer Tim Martin said. “She’s a big girl and carries plenty of condition so this run will benefit her no end.

“I’m sure she can go onto better things.”

Ford said while Lupara had things go her way in the run the win is a good sign of what’s to come as the filly gets fitter with racing.

“We had a charmed run in behind them but she found plenty when they came at her so it was a good effort,” he said.

“She doesn’t have a blistering turn of foot but once you get her out and rolling she can sustain her effort.

“I’d say she’d appreciate a bit more ground with some time.”

The placings and margins: Lupara (Jay Ford) 56kg ($12) defeated Lucy’s Cash (Hugh Bowman) 58kg ($2.90 fav) by a short head with a nose back to Farixton (Kathy O’Hara) 57.5kg ($41) in third place.

Winner’s breeding – Lupara is a three-year-old filly by Encosta De Lago out of Wolf (Marscay).

The time and sectionals – The field covered the 1250 metres in 1.14.88 with the last 600 metres run in 36.98 seconds.

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ROSEHILL, NOVEMBER 26, 2009 – Rosehill’s Tim Martin has sounded an ominous warning to rival trainers declaring Scouting Wide is primed for Saturday’s Sharp Handicap over 2400m on Randwick’s Kensington track.

Martin said the Zabeel gelding would be hard to beat after he won his first ever 2400 metre start at his latest run on November 24 at Rosehill.

“It looks a good race for him,” Martin said. “I feel he’s set to produce the best run of his career.

“He’s got a 2400m run under his belt and for the first time this campaign he goes in fully fit.”

The astute trainer said Scouting Wide has been a slow learner but he’s a horse with upside and that could play into the gelding’s hands on Saturday.

“It’s a benchmark 85 race like his last run but it’s a better line-up,” he said. “This is the sort of horse that the harder the task the better he’ll go and that is what I’m expecting from him at the weekend.”

The stable’s other runner on the day is Jealous Guy in the McGrath Estate Agents Handicap over 1150m.

Also a last start winner, Jealous Guy faces a stiff rise in class but Martin said the signs going into the race have been good.

“His work since the Hawkesbury win has been very good,” he said. “There is a lot more depth in Saturday’s race but I honestly think he’s not without an each-way chance.”

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ROSEHILL, November 19, 2009 – In-form trainer Tim Martin hopes to repeat last Saturday’s winning double when he takes two runners to the race on Saturday at Rosehill.

Martin will saddle up the talented Lohan in the Asbestos Foundation of Australia Handicap (1100m) and enigmatic galloper Stalingrad in the Vincents Forensic Accounting Handicap (2000m).

Lohan, a daughter of former top juvenile Choisir has continually surprised her trainer since a debut win at Tamworth in Australia’s first two-year-old race of the season and recorded another win at Rosehill before a tough third at her last start.

“I was going to give her a break after her first run but she’s done so well we have kept going,” Martin said. “I let the horses tell me when they’ve had enough and she’s showing no signs she wants a break.

“She’s thriving and actually looks better than she did leading into any of her runs this prep.”

Martin said Lohan’s form should see her prove hard to hold out after drawing barrier 3 for the 1100m contest.

“She drops back to fillies grade and only carries 2kg over the minimum after Michael Palmer’s claim,” he said.

“She’s going great and from the draw I expect she’ll be hard to beat.

The stable’s other runner on he program is the Redoute’s Choice gelding Stalingrad who improved sharply last start when a narrow second behind Halleys at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day.

“By being positive and going forward at Randwick I think we found the key to him,” Martin said. “He was a different horse and that is how we intend to ride him again on Saturday.

“There doesn’t appear to be too much speed in the race so he’ll slide forward and he should prove tough to run down.”

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Promising gelding Elusive Touch confirmed trainer Tim Martin’s opinion with a wire-to-wire win in the Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Handicap over 1200m at Rosehill on Saturday.

The four-year-old by Elusive Quality wasn’t the first pick when the owners purchased him at the sales as a yearling but the patience shown by his trainer and connections is starting to pay dividends.

“We we’re the underbidders on Von Costa De Hero and he was the consolation,” Martin said.

“He’s taken a fair while to get here but I think he’s a pretty promising horse and hopefully the patience shown by the owners will be rewarded now.”

Fired out of barrier 14 by Tye Angland, Elusive Touch went straight to the front and dictated terms before shooting away at the top of the straight and although getting tired on the line the result was never in doubt.

“He was never going to get beaten when he got left alone in the middle stages,” Martin said.

“He’s continuing to get stronger and stronger and I think there might be a good race in him down the track.

The victory also capped a winning double for Tye Angland who also thinks the future is bright for the son of Elusive Quality.

“He’s a nice horse this bloke,” Angland said.

“He got things his own way but the turn of foot he produced when I asked him to go was that of a good horse.”

The placings and margins: Elusive Touch (Tye Angland) 53.5kg ($7) defeated Danedarra (Hugh Bowman) 55.5kg ($4.20) by a neck with 1-3/4 lengths back to Cloudygaze (Peter Wells) 53kg ($19) in third place.

Winner’s breeding – Elusive Touch is a four-year-old gelding by Elusive Quality (USA) out of Shelbourne Lass (Brocco (USA)).

The time and sectionals – The field covered the 1200 metres in 1.10.46 with the last 600 metres run in 34.23 seconds.

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ROSEHILL, November 14, 2009 – Promising stayer Scouting Wide has relished the step up to 2400 metres with a tough win in the Sole Saviours Handicap at Rosehill on Saturday.

The stoutly bred son of Zabeel thrived at his first run past 2000 metres and proved too strong for Merensky Reef in the drive to the finish.

“This is what he’s been crying out for and he did a good job,” trainer Tim Martin said.

“He’s been a slow maturing type but with time he has continued to furnish and though he still doesn’t fully know what he’s doing the raw ability got him home today.”

Martin said he intends to continue the preparation with Scouting Wide and indicated he’d look for another suitable race over a mile and a half trip.

“He’s learning all the time and he’s thriving so I really don’t want to tip him out yet,” he said.

“He’s going to be a pretty handy stayer in six months when he learns what it is all about.”

Winning jockey Tye Angland conferred with Martin’s thoughts saying the five-year-old still has a bit to learn.

“He’s only got a short sprint but he’s a promising stayer because he’s tough and continues to grind away,” Angland said.

“He was going to win convincingly today and he half pulled up when he got to the leader but when it came back he dug deep again and pulled out enough.

“I reckon he was toying with it, he still thinks it is all a game.”

The placings and margins: Scouting Wide (Tye Angland) 53.5kg ($3.30) defeated Merensky Reef (Kathy O’Hara) 54.5kg ($6.50) by a half head with 1-1/4 lengths back to Country Matters (Glyn Schofield) 53kg ($5.50) in third place.

Winner’s breeding – Scouting Wide is a five-year-old gelding by Zabeel (NZ) out of Gardd (USA) (Sheikh Albadou (GB)).

The time and sectionals – The field covered the 2400 metres in 2.34.45 with the last 600 metres run in 35.20 seconds.

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ROSEHILL, November 13, 2009 – Tim Martin has all bases covered in the Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Handicap over 1200m at Rosehill on Saturday.

The local trainer will saddle up two runners, Elusive Touch and Ashbaa in the benchmark 75 race.

Martin said Elusive Touch will go forward from a wide draw and he expects the four-year-old to give a bold sight.

“There doesn’t look to be too much speed so we’ll push forward from out there,” he said.

“Initially a was a little disappointed with his last run but I think the form out of it will be solid and this looks easier.

“If he can get across without spending too much petrol then he’s got a good chance.”

Elusive Touch’s stablemate Ashbaa is one of the best track workers in the stable and Martin said the day he brings that form to the races would see him hard to beat.

“He’s racing out of his class but should get a good run from the draw ²,” he said.

“He’s a horse that has always shown me a bit and he’s not without an each-way chance.”

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ROSEHILL, November 12, 2009 – Rosehill trainer Tim Martin believes the step up to 2400 metres is the key factor to the chances of Scouting Wide in the Sole Saviours Handicap at Rosehill on Saturday.

The five-year-old gelding by Zabeel appeared to be crying out for extra ground when chasing Aristocratico home over 1900 metres at Rosehill on October 31.

“He couldn’t quicken off the slow speed but was doing his best work late,” Martin said.

Since that run, Scouting Wide has continued to thrive and ready to take on the promising stayer The Kossack who Martin holds plenty of respect for.

“He’s a pretty smart horse The Kossack but over 2400 metres I feel we can really test him,” he said.

“I couldn’t be happier with how the horse is going and I’m confident he’ll be right in the finish on Saturday.”

Later in the day Street Lover will represent the stable when she takes on the mares in the Schweppes Handicap over 1400m.

Martin said punters should disregard Street Lover’s latest performance when finishing fifth of eight, beaten 4.1 lengths at Rosehill on October 31.

“They walked and ran home in sub 34 seconds so she had no hope,” he said.

Like her stablemate Scouting Wide, Street Lover has trained on well since her last start and with more on-pacers set to line up, a competitive effort is expected.

“They look like they are going to run along a bit quicker on Saturday and that brings her into the calculations,” he said.

“She’s been up for a while but I cannot fault her and if she can get the breaks in the run I think she has strong each-way prospects.”

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ROSEHILL, October 30, 2009 – Rosehill trainer Tim Martin will be at Flemington on Saturday but he still holds a strong hand on his home track program.

The stable will saddle up three last start winners, Lohan in the Dooleys Handicap (1100m), Street Lover contests the Clubs NSW Handicap over 1500m and Scouting Wide in the Mounties Group Handicap (1900m).

Slightly framed juvenile Lohan will be aiming to make it three from three when she attempts to keep her unbeaten record in tact and Martin has elected to utilise the services of 2kg claiming apprentice Michael Palmer.

“She has continued to thrive and I’m expecting her to be very competitive,” Martin said.

“The form looks good with Intertidal coming out and winning last week and we meet him better here at the weights than when we beat him three weeks ago.

“There isn’t much of her but she’s all heart and I’m sure she will run a mighty race.”

Four-year-old mare Street Lover continues to make good improvement and her last start Randwick win had a touch of class about it.

Having her first start off a 42-day freshen-up, Street Lover overcame an impeded passage in the straight to hit the line powerfully over the final 200 metres and record a commanding win.

Martin expects the daughter of Street Cry to handle Saturday’s ride in class.

“She just keeps stepping up to the plate,” Martin said.

“She’s trained on very well since the Randwick run and I know she’s fitter going into this.

“I can’t see why she won’t be hard to beat again.”

Ending the day at Rosehill for the stable is the promising stayer Scouting Wide.

After taking six start to record his breakthrough win, Scouting Wide did it in style with a 6-3/4 length drubbing of his rivals at Randwick on the Kensington track on October 14.

Martin said the five-year-old son of Zabeel had been a slow maturer but was set to carry on his winning way.

“He finally delivered on the promise I’ve always known he has,” Martin said.

“His work since has progressed along well and he’s at the top of his game now so there are no excuses for a similar performance which in my opinion will see him winning again.”

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MELBOURNE, October 30, 2009 – Classy sprinter Kiloton is ready to produce a career best performance in the Group III AAMI Business Insurance Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday.

The talented stallion will be having his third run back from a spell and with the likelihood of firm footing he’s set for a career defining run.

“He’s a gross stallion and has needed to get a couple of runs under his belt but he’s getting pretty close to the mark now,” Martin said.

“We got a good barrier and a dry track is expected so I think he’ll around the money on Saturday.”

Kiloton chased home McClintock at Caulfield a fortnight ago when finishing third behind the in-form galloper but jockey Corey Brown is confident his five-year-old can close the gap at Flemington.

“McClintock was having something like his sixth run of the campaign so I doubt he’d be improving coming into this,” Brown said.

“Kiloton on the other hand had needed both his runs and if you think back to his third run in during the autumn he jumped out of the ground.

“From the draw we should be able to stalk the leaders and I’m expecting him to be very hard to hold out.”

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RANDWICK, October 17, 2009 – She may have been unwanted in betting but Street Lover proved the smarties wrong with a commending victory in the A Friend’s Place Handicap at Randwick on Saturday.

A lack of speed on paper in the race saw Street Lover drifted in betting from $3.20 to $4.40.

Street Lover began well and settled in a midfield spot and was afforded a lovely run until straightening.

In the home straight, Street Lover was forced on two occasions to change course after finding dead ends but when she moved into second and came across the heals of the leader, she let down strongly and surged to the front.

“She loves a firm track,” Martin said.

“She just keeps improving and improving, she is a little gem.”

Martin said Street Lover would continue to campaign in Sydney over the coming months with the carnival in Melbourne.

The placings and margins: Street Lover (Tye Angland) 54.5kg ($4.40) defeated De Lightning Ridge (Jason Maskiell a3) 58kg ($4.60) by a three quarters of a length with 2-1/4 lengths back to Fashion Statement (Michael Palmer a2) 53kg ($3.90) in third place.

Winner’s breeding – Street Lover is a four-year-old mare by Street Cry (IRE) out of Shebiscuit (Strategic).

The time and sectionals – The field covered the 1400 metres in 1.22.33 with the last 600 metres run in 34.55 seconds.

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ROSEHILL, October 15, 2009 – Aside from Indian Ocean, Tim Martin racing has another two runners at Randwick on Saturday.

Stakes winner Teasing lines up in the Lightning Handicap (1100m) while the improving mare Street Lover contests the A Friends Place Handicap over 1400m.

Teasing was given a short break after the winter months and resumed from a spell in the Group II The Shorts where she finished down the track on a forgiving wet Randwick surface and Martin said the mare hadn’t taken a backward step since that run.

“It was a funny track on Epsom day and it would pay to overlook that run,” Martin said.

“Her work going into the race was good as it has been since so I’m confident she can turn things around.

“On her best form she’s in this up to her ears and the signs are there to tell me she’s going as well as she was when she won the Missile in August.”

Street Lover was given a freshen-up since her last start when she finished a closing second behind Princess Quality at Rosehill on September 5.

Martin said the four-year-old is one of those horses that keeps on improving and he’s expecting a bold showing from the daughter of Street Cry on Saturday.

“I gave her a short let-up to avoid the carnival and she’s fit and well for Saturday,” he said.

“She is going to improve off whatever she does at the weekend but she’s not far from the mark and the small field suits.

“I think she’s set for a great prep and she’s got genuine claims on Saturday.

Street Lover’s regular jockey Tye Angland sticks with the mare while Jay Ford is booked to ride Teasing.

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ROSEHILL, October 15, 2009 – Rosehill trainer Tim Martin believes his talented filly Indian Ocean has the necessary class to overcome a shocking barrier draw in Saturday’s Listed $100,000 Sharp Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

Indian Ocean makes her return to the races after an extended spell caused by a hairline fracture in a knee found after the daughter of Fastnet Rock failed in the Golden Slipper.

“You never want that sort of injury but with the extended time she had off she’s really furnished into a magnificent filly,” Martin said.

“She wasn’t built to be a good two-year-old but her raw ability carried her to achieve what she did.

“Now she’s filled into her frame and she’s definitely a bigger and stronger girl and improved.”

Martin (pictured) said despite drawing barrier 13 on Saturday in a field of 14 he believes her racetrack performances as a juvenile make her the horse to beat.

“She’s not screwed right down but she’s got the best credentials in the race for sure,” he said.

“She trialled well at Rosehill recently and has come along as I’d hoped since that run.

“She’ll take some beating for sure.”

Martin said Indian Ocean’s spring program will be short but a trip to Melbourne is planned.

“There is a fillies race on [Melbourne] Cup day over 1400 metres that is in the plans,” he said.

“She’ll go out for a break after that and come back in the autumn.”

Martin, meanwhile, has his fingers crossed the rain stays away for his talented sprinter Kiloton who lines up in the Group III Betfair Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Kiloton finished down the track when resuming in the Group II The Shorts at Randwick on Epsom day but his trainer said punters should put a line through that effort.

“He hates wet tracks so forget he went around first-up,” he said.

“It’s looking like the weather could be another thorn in our side on Saturday but I couldn’t be happier with the horse.

“He’s going as well as ever so if it stays dry I wouldn’t rule him out on the weekend.”

Martin said Kiloton would only have two more Australian starts before he heads across to New Zealand for a crack at the Group I Railway Stakes on New Year’s Day at Ellerslie.

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RANDWICK, October 14, 2009 – Promising staying prospect Scouting Wide may have taken seven starts to win his maiden but he did it in style with an emphatic victory in the Hayai Maiden Plate over 1800m at Randwick on the Kensington track.

Placed at each of his first six starts, Scouting Wide had been a beaten favourite at four of those runs but punters again sent him out as the top pick at $1.85.

Ridden back off a solid speed, Scouting Wide travelled sweetly until jockey Tye Angland urged the Zabeel gelding along nearing the home turn and he quickly pounced of the leaders before forging away to a dominant victory.

“He’s been a frustrating horse but hopefully he’ll go right on with it now,” trainer Tim Martin said.

“We have always had a big opinion of the horse but he’s been a very slow maturer, not just physically but mentally also.”

Martin said despite the ease of the win he will resist the temptation of sending the five-year-old to Melbourne for a better class race during the back end of the carnival.

“We’ll just keep him in Sydney and go through the grades,” he said.

“I’ve got no doubt he’s got the ability to win a good race but it’s taken longer than it should have to win a maiden so we’ll keep taking small steps for a while yet.”

Winning jockey Tye Angland confirmed Martin’s opinion of Scouting Wide and said everything went according to plan.

“He put it all together today,” Angland said.

“The race was run at a pace to suit and hopefully this win will springboard him to better things.

“He’s a better horse than his record says he is.”

The placings and margins: Scouting Wide (Tye Angland) 58kg ($1.85) defeated Savsbelle (Peter Wells) 53.5kg ($17) by 6-3/4 lengths with 1-1/4 lengths back to Trebbiano (Mitchell Beadman a2) 55.5kg ($71) in third place.

Winner’s breeding – Scouting Wide is a five-year-old gelding by Zabeel (NZ) out of Gardd (USA) (Sheikh Albadou (GB)).

The time and sectionals – The field covered the 1800 metres in 1.51.76 with the last 600 metres run in 35.65 seconds – hand timed.

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ROSEHILL, October 10, 2009 – Racy filly Lohan has gone back to back for Rosehill trainer Tim Martin in the Red Rock Deli Handicap at Rosehill on Saturday.

The result was an added bonus for Lohan’s connections as the plan was to spell the two-year-old filly following her debut win at Tamworth in NSW’s first juvenile race of the season on October 2.

“She was going to the paddock but she did so well that Tim had a change of heart,” stable spokesman Des Fisher said.

“The trip away has really made the filly and she has come along in leaps and bounds since the Tamworth run.”

With apprentice Michael Palmer in the saddle, Lohan began well and took a trailing spot behind the leaders before challenging strongly in the straight and proving too good in the run to the line.

“The race experience is such a bonus in these early two-year-old races,” Fisher said.

“She put herself into the race and the kid picked the perfect moment to make his challenge.

“She’s a genuine little runner.”

Fisher said provided Lohan comes through the run in good order the stable would be likely to push on.

One of the first runners by Snitzel, Intertidal made an encouraging debut after being wide all the way to finish second with the Rod Craig-trained Circle Of Power making up good ground in the straight to round out the placings.

The placings and margins: Lohan (Michael Palmer a2) 55.5kg ($8) defeated Intertidal (Glyn Schofield) 57kg ($6) by a half length with a half length back to Circle Of Power (Noel Callow) 57kg ($17) in third place.

Winner’s breeding – Lohan is a two-year-old filly by Choisir out of Inclination (Pauillac).

The time and sectionals – The field covered the 1100 metres in 1.06.49 with the last 600 metres run in 35.93 seconds.

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ROSEHILL, October 8, 2009 – Tim Martin’s Group II winning filly Indian Ocean will resume from a spell on Saturday week at Randwick.

The winner of the Magic Night Stakes during the autumn, Indian Ocean suffered a hairline fracture in a knee in the Golden Slipper and the injury forced her return to the races to be delayed.

Last Friday, Indian Ocean contested a 900 metre barrier trial at Rosehill where she finished second in the smart time of 53.42 seconds.

The racenet trial report said, “Indian Ocean began ok and rolled forward to travel outside the leader with the field going along at a good clip. In the straight the breaks were never released on Indian Ocean and she went to the line with plenty to offer in a slick time.”

Martin said the filly has come through the trial in good order and she will run first-up in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes over 1200m at Randwick.

“I’m thrilled the way she has come back and she came through the trial great,” Martin said.

“The extra time she had out through injury has allowed her to strengthen right up, she furnished into a magnificent filly.”

Martin said if Indian Ocean performs to expectations in the Brian Crowley the daughter of Danehill Dancer would head to Melbourne to contest stakes races during the carnival.

“I haven’t locked in any races yet but there are a few races I’m considering,” he said.

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ROSEHILL, October 8, 2009 – The Tim Martin stable will have two runners at Rosehill on Saturday including the first NSW two-year-old winner of the season.

Martin will saddle up Lohan in the Red Rock Deli Handicap.

A daughter of Choisir, Lohan won the first two-year-old race of the season at Tamworth last Friday by 1-3/4 lengths.

Martin said the filly was set to head to the paddock but had come out of the race in such good order she deserved another throw at the stumps.

“She has really thrived since that run so it is worth a crack,” Martin said.

“She’s drawn well and gets in great at the weights with Taylor Lovelock-Wiggins 3kg claim.

“I think she has definitely got each-way claims because the race experience counts for so much.”

The other runner for the stable is in progressive stayer Morecambe Bay in the Milton Meats Handicap over 1900m.

Morecambe Bay rises sharply in class for Saturday’s contest but Martin said the daughter of Diatribe deserved her chance.

“It’s a big ask but she is going well and like her stablemate she’s well in at the weights with Taylor Lovelock-Wiggins 3kg claim,” he said.

“She handles wet tracks so that’s no concern and I’m confident she’ll run a competitive race.”

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ROSEHILL, September 30, 2009 – The Tim Martin stable will attack Saturday’s Group II The Shorts (1100m) in a big way with Kiloton and Teasing both lining up in the big sprint at Randwick.

Martin said it was a tough race on paper but if both horses can produce their best they have an undeniable chance.

“I don’t think any one of the trainers that have a runner in the race could go in thinking they are unbeatable,” Martin said.

“It’s an extremely hard race and luck is going to play a vital part.”

The lightly raced Kiloton resumes from a spell after an autumn that saw him struggle to produce his best.

Martin said the son of Spinning World was always a run behind in his last preparation due to a couple of minor but niggling problems.

“It was one of those preparations that nothing went right,” Martin said.

“I know he won a race at Rosehill but he never quite got to where we wanted to be.

“He’s come back in super shape and he goes into Saturday ready to produce.

“The barrier has made his task tricky and we’ll probably have to go back but if the breaks come his way he’ll be hard to hold out when it counts.”

Quite possibly the toughest horse in his stable, Teasing, is back after a short break and with a ton of pace in the race she should be suited.

Martin said Teasing has answered every challenge put in front of her during the campaign and will improve from whatever she does on Saturday.

“She’s going great,” he said.

“If I’ve got a doubt it’s that she may just need the run but I couldn’t be happier with how she is going.

“She’ll go back as is her pattern but the race speed should suit and like Kiloton if the breaks come her way then it wouldn’t surprise if she got the result.”

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ROSEHILL, September 17, 2009 – The career of the promising stayer Rock Song is in the balance after the horse suffered a bad tendon injury at trackwork on Thursday morning.

Rock Song’s trainer Tim Martin said the horse was cantering on the Rosehill sand track when he suffered the injury.

“It’s a real blow because I really thought this campaign would be the making of him,” Martin said.

“I always thought he was a stakes horse and he’d really matured since his last preparation both physically and mentally.”

Martin said scans had been taken of the injured area but early advise from the stable vet was the injury appears to be career ending.

Rock Song has raced on 10 occasions recording four wins and career prizemoney earnings totalled $114,880.

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ROSEHILL, September 10, 2009 – Progressive stayer Morecambe Bay will be attempting to record back to back wins in Saturday’s Bacardi Breezer Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill.

The daughter of Diatribe goes into Saturday’s race off the back of a strong, last to first win, on the Kensington track on August 25.

Trainer Tim Martin said Morecambe Bay has done very well since her last run he feels she deserves her chance against Saturday company.

“She hasn’t gone backwards since her last run,” Martin said.

“She is a mare that keeps improving with racing and deserves a crack in the tougher grade.

“She’s likely to get back and provided they don’t walk then I think she’s got a good chance.”

The Martin’s stable’s other two runners Even Flow in the Myboycharlie Handicap (1200m) and Scouting Wide in the Grand Pavilion Handicap (1500m).

“Both horses have drawn well and are nice horses,” he said.

“They face tough tasks on Saturday in their respective races but I’m sure they won’t disgrace themselves.”

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MELBOURNE, September 10, 2009 – Top Sydney trainer Tim Martin has booked highly-rated Kiwi jockey Michael Walker to partner Typhoon Zed in Saturday’s Group III McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.

Typhoon Zed will run in the McEwen Stakes as a lead-up to defending his Group I Manikato Stakes title won last year in gritty fashion with Nash Rawiller aboard.

“I haven’t been able to get on his back yet but he’s a terrific horse and I’m thrilled to have the ride,” Walker said.

“I’m told the McEwen Stakes is going to be a high-class race so I’m happy to be involved.”

Walker was in Melbourne riding at last Saturday’s Flemington meeting but said he would continue to commute across the Tasman throughout the Melbourne spring when commitments at home allowed.

“I’m a contracted rider for the Vela family in New Zealand so they have first call on my services,” Walker said.

“But when I’m not required to ride at home, I’ll be over in Melbourne throughout the carnival and hopefully I can pick up a few rides in the big races.”

Martin, has booked the in-form comeback jockey Noel Callow to ride his other McEwen Stakes runner, the Group III Missile Stakes winner, Teasing.

The Rosehill based trainer said both horses have travelled down to Melbourne and settled in well.

“They arrived this morning and everything has gone to plan,” Martin said.

“I can’t get them any better.”

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SYDNEY, September 4, 2009 – The Tim Martin-trained Street Lover will be aiming to make it consecutive wins when she steps up into Saturday grade at Randwick.

Street Lover impressed with a strong victory at Canterbury on August 26 when coming from the tail of the field before recording a 1-3/4 length win over 1550m.

Martin said Street Lover needs firm footing to show her best and the prospect of an upgrade to a good surface at Randwick is encouraging the stable.

“Her win at Canterbury was very strong,” Martin said.

“Hopefully with good weather today they may get back to good at Randwick and if it does she should be competitive.

“It’s a tough race but the mare is fit and well and deserves her chance.”

The stable’s other runner on the program is Hello Pretty in the Tramway Quality (1400m).

The inclusion of Mentality in tomorrow’s field has seen Hello Pretty drop in the weights and Martin said the horse is getting fitter with every run.

“He’s had the two starts since returning from Hong Kong and he’ll strip fitter again on Saturday,” he said.

“The other plus is he drops down to 58kg in this compared with the 59.5kg from his last run.

“This run should get him pretty close to the mark but he’s not without an each-way hope up to the 1400m.”

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ROSEHILL, August 27, 2009 – The Tim Martin-Tye Angland combination have been in unbeatable form this week and they are hoping it will continue in the $1m Group I Golden Rose on Saturday at Rosehill.

The duo have combined for six winners from their last nine starts in including Morecambe Bay at Randwick on Tuesday and Street Lover on Wednesday at Canterbury.

In the Golden Rose they will team up with The Mikado.

The son of Danehill Dancer goes into the first Group I of the season after finishing a luckless fourth in the Run To The Rose where his name was littered in the post-race stewards report.

“The Mikado was held up for a run and passing the 300m was taken out by Stryker. A short distance later The Mikado was buffeted between Stryker and Viking Legend. The Mikado did not obtain clear running until inside the 200m,” the stewards report said.

Tye Angland said The Mikado’s performance in the Run To The Rose confirms the colt won’t be making up the numbers in the Golden Rose especially after drawing barrier 5.

“He’s not out of it by any means,” Angland said.

“In the Run To The Rose they walked which didn’t suit him and with a clear run in the straight he would have finished right on their heels.

“From the draw on Saturday I think he’ll be that bit closer in the run and with a clear shot he’ll be hitting the line when it counts.

“He’s got a great chance.”

The Mikado’s trainer, Tim Martin, said The Mikado’s work since the Run To The Rose had pleased him no end and he goes into the race with all the boxes ticked.

“He hasn’t missed a beat since the Run To The Rose and its all systems go,” Martin said.

“A bit of luck in running and you never know.”

The Mikado firmed in from $26 to $17 in the Golden Rose with TAB Sportsbet after having good support since betting began on Tuesday.

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CANTERBURY, August 26, 2009 – A firm surface has paved the way for the Tim Martin-trained Street Lover to win her first metropolitan race in the Freeway Hotel Handicap over 1580m on Wednesday at Canterbury.

The four-year-old daughter of Street Cry settled back at the tail of the field for Tye Angland before circling her rivals on straightening and forging clear in the run to the line.

“I’m very very happy with that,” an excited part owner Peter Matthews said.

“She’s got a good turn of foot and Tye rode her very well.”

Angland said he was impressed with the victory which was his second from two rides aboard the mare.

“She’s got a bit of upside this mare,” he said.

“I know today wasn’t the strongest midweek field but they don’t come from that far back at Canterbury when the rail is out either.”

The win was the second city success in as many days for the Tim Martin / Tye Angland combination after Morecambe Bay won at Randwick on Tuesday.

The placings and margins: Street Lover (Tye Angland) 55.5kg ($11) defeated Magnifique Lass (Corey Brown) 55.5kg ($12) by 1-3/4 lengths with short neck back to Melroy (Hugh Bowman) 55.5kg ($3.80) in third place.

Winner’s breeding – Street Lover is a four-year-old mare by Street Cry (USA) out of Shebiscuit (Strategic).
The time and sectionals – The field covered the 1580 metres in 1.35.52 with the last 600 run in 35.37 seconds.

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RANDWICK, August 25, 2009 – Promising staying prospect Morecambe Bay continues to produce consistent form with a smart win in the Shankhill Lass Handicap over 1800m at Randwick’s Kensington track on Tuesday.

The win was the third from nine starts for the Tim Martin-trained galloper and her first in the metropoltian area.

The daughter of Diatribe didn’t have things go her way with a slow tempo up front set by Rock And Reel while Morecambe Bay had gone back to the tale of the field from her wide barrier.

The speed didn’t quicken until the field neared the home turn but jockey Tye Angland took Morecambe Bay to the outside and under her top weight she quickly reeled in the leaders at the top of the straight and powered on to victory.

“It was a good win,” Martin said.

“Nothing went her way in the run but she has that bit of class and that carries them along way.”

Martin said he would now ease up on Morecambe Bay before reproducing the mare in the metropolitan area after the spring carnival.

“There isn’t much around for her now and she’d get weighted out of the midweek races,” he said.

“I’ll get her back around November and look for some races in Saturday company.

“She’s a horse that will probably get a mile and a half.”

The placings and margins: Morecambe Bay (Tye Angland) 57kg ($4.80) defeated Fetes Alfresco (Kerrin McEvoy) 55.5kg ($3.40) by a half length with a neck back to Tell Me Some (Jay Ford) 54.5kg ($21) in third place.

Winner’s breeding – Morecambe Bay is a four-year-old mare by Diatribe out of Quicksand (Zeditave).

The time and sectionals – The field covered the 1400 metres in 1.52.57 with the last 600 run in 35.83 seconds.

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ROSEHILL, August 20, 2009 – Tim Martin has been more than pleased with the progress made by his galloper Hello Pretty who will have his second start since returning from Hong Kong at Randwick on Saturday.

The Group I placed eight-year-old had his first run in almost 500 days at Randwick on August 8 when he was run off his legs over 1200m behind Murray’s Son.

On Saturday Hello Pretty again starts over 1200m in the Listed Show County Quality but Martin said he expects an improved performance.

“I wasn’t disappointed with his first-up run but I’d expect him to improve again on Saturday,” Martin said.

“The key to an old horse like this is to keep them happyand sound and that is what he is at the moment.

“He’s on target for where we are heading.”

After Saturday, Hello Pretty is programmed to have his next start in the Tramway Stakes at Randwick a fortnight later before he attempts to emulate Martin’s former smart galloper Stormhill in the Group II Shannon Stakes at Rosehill two weeks later.

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ROSEHILL, August 12, 2009 – A change of tactic is hoped can see The Mikado improve sharply when he contests the Group III Run To The Rose on Saturday at Rosehill.

The Mikado’s trainer Tim Martin said the three-year-old may have appeared disappointing when third behind Definite Choice at Rosehill a fortnight ago but he feels the horse can be competitive against a much tougher line-up this weekend.

“I think he’s a better chaser,” Martin said.

“We went forward last week but from the wide gate ¹² on Saturday we’ll go back and I think you’ll see a better horse.”

Martin said the colt’s work has been as good as ever since his last start and he’s under no illusions the son of Danehill Dancer is a stakes class horse as he proved when second behind Manhattan Rain in the Group III Skyline Stakes.

“People haven’t seen the best of this horse on raceday yet but don’t worry he is a quality colt,” he said.

“His work has been super leading into this and ridden quietly I expect him to make his presence felt with some luck in running.”

Martin said he regards fellow Rosehill-trained galloper Hus de Lieften as the horse to beat and he also said Denman and More Than Great should be respected.

Saturday’s effort by The Mikado will decide if the stable pushes on towards the Group I Golden Rose or target the Listed Ming Dynasty Quality a week later.

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ROSEHILL, August 6, 2009 – Tim Martin believes Hello Pretty is the best credentialled horse to return from Hong Kong to race in Australia and the trainer is eagerly awaiting the horse’s debut for the stable on Saturday at Randwick.

Hello Pretty is an the eight-year-old gelding which was a dual Group II winner in Hong Kong and defeated the likes of Viva Pataca, Bullish Luck and Good Ba Ba during his overseas career.

“I don’t recall a horse to come back to race in Australia with credentials like this horse,” Martin said.

“He won the Hong Kong Derby Trial and trained on to win the International Cup.

“He raced the best and beat the best.”

Martin said the gelding isn’t the soundest horse in his stable and has been something of a barrier rogue since joining his team.

He took the son of Distorted Humour to Wyong to barrier trial on July 24 and he had too much class for his rivals winning an 850-metre heat.

“We’ve done plenty of Monty Roberts style work with him and he’s improving all the time,” he said.

“That is why I took him to Wyong to trial.

“I wanted him to spend some time on the float and get away from Rosehill and I’d say the trip has had a positive affect on the horse and he loaded a lot better that day.”

Martin said he is unsure of what to expect from Hello Pretty on Saturday and he has secured the services of apprentice Michael Palmer to reduce the horse’s weight to 60kg.

“It’s hard to know just how well the horse will go,” Martin said.

“His trial was encouraging but he is an eight-year-old and hasn’t raced for a long time.

“Then you add to that he’s going to have to lump 60kg against some smart horses like Voice Commander so I’m just hoping that he’ll be competitive.

“He’s going to improve off whatever he does.”

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ROSEHILL, August 1, 2009 – Tim Martin paid tribute to jockey Chris Munce’s judgement aboard his improving mare Teasing following her exciting win in the Group III Missile Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

Martin said he was surprised earlier in the week when he offered Munce the ride aboard both his runners Teasing and Typhoon Zed and the lightweight jockey chose the mare over his multiple Group I winner.

“I couldn’t believe Chris was adamant he would ride the mare so this shows he’s a good judge,” he said.

Martin said the victory was one of his most satisfying moments in his training career.

Teasing’s part owner and long time client of Martin, Ted King died last month while Teasing has overcome two career threatening injuries.

“I don’t remember being this excited about a win,” Martin said.

“She’s such a tough and genuine horse and has over come two knee operations that would have ended most horses careers.

“It’s also a family I’ve trained since I started training and her mother, Turned On actually won at the Moree picnics one day.”

With a solid speed being carved out up front, Teasing sat back near the tail of the field before unleashing a strong spurt in the straight and the mare mowed down Gold Trail over the final 50 metres.

“That throws a spanner in the works,” Martin said.

“I wanted to run her in the Sheraco in a few weeks and to be honest she was only here today because one of her owners didn’t want to wait for a month, after the Ramornie, before running her again.

“I said to him ‘the Missile is on so we’ll send her around’.

“It’s a very big thrill and very deserved for the horse.”

Martin also praised the performance of his warhorse Typhoon Zed who battled bravely to finish third.

“He’ll strip a lot fitter the next time he goes to the races,” he said.

“He’s getting older and the condition isn’t coming off him as quickly as it once did.

“He’s on target for the Manikato at the end of the month in Melbourne.”

Martin also praised the efforts of his employee Mary McGrath who he said played a big part in Teasing’s win.

The placings and margins: Teasing (Chris Munce) 56.5kg ($19) defeated Gold Trail (Corey Brown) 58.5kg ($17) by a length with three-quarters of a length back to Typhoon Zed (Tye Angland) 58.5kg ($5.50) in third place.

Winner’s breeding – Teasing is a seven-year-old mare by More Than Ready (USA) out of Turned On (Switch In Time (IRE)).

The time and sectionals – The field covered the 1100 metres in 1.04.42 with the last 600 run in 34.70 seconds.

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SYDNEY, JULY 31, 2009 – After a first-up flop, multiple Group I galloper Typhoon Zed will be out to set the record straight and take his earnings to more than $1 million in Saturday’s Missile Stakes at Rosehill.

The rising seven-year-old gelding was taken to Grafton when resuming and finished fifth, beaten 1.5 lengths in the Kirby Handicap on July 16 but his trainer Tim Martin said the gelding should be given the benefit of the doubt.

“We went up there thinking he could carry the 61kg and win but he hadn’t trialled and his condition gave out,” Martin said.

“He’s come out of the run in good shape and I’m expecting to see sharp improvement on the weekend.”

Victory in the Group III feature will see Typhoon Zed’s career earnings surge past the million-dollar barrier and Martin said the milestone would be richly deserved.

“He’s one of those horses that will never be considered a star of the turf but he’s been a bloody good horse,” he said.

“He’s had his share of problems throughout his career but is made of the right stuff and he’d thoroughly deserve to become a millionaire.”

Martin said Typhoon Zed faces “a top-class field” in Saturday’s Missile Stakes but he wouldn’t swap having Typhoon Zed in his corner.

“When the chips are down the old warrior shines through in Typhoon Zed and all the signs I’m seeing say he’s ready to go to war,” he said.

“They’ll know he’s there.”

Martin will also saddle up his honest mare Teasing who last start found the 1200m trip of the Ramornie Handicap a shade to far when fourth behind the promising Battlefield.

“This is another step up in class for Teasing but she’s racing well and has earned a shot,” he said.

“There is plenty of speed on paper and back to 1100 metres suits her.

“She’s got a place hope.”

Rounding out the Martin team on Saturday is last-start winner The Mikado who contests the www.theraces.com.au Handicap (1400m).

The stakes-placed galloper broke through for his maiden win in a two-year-old Handicap at Grafton during the carnival and Martin is hoping the gelding can go back-to-back.

“He’s a good horse and with drying conditions in Sydney I expect he’ll be hard to beat,” he said.

“His win at Grafton was dominant and it was a handy field and the trip away has done him no end of good.

“The 1400m will suit at the weekend and I’m sure he’ll run well.”

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GRAFTON, July 16, 2009 – Promising juvenile The Mikado has recorded his first victory in fine style, winning the $27,000 Southern Cross Ten 2YO Plate at Grafton on Thursday.

The Tim Martin-trained gelding had shown ability since making his racetrack debut in February and finished second behind Manhattan Rain in the Group III Skyline Stakes during the autumn carnival.

The Mikado resumed from a spell at Canterbury on July 1, where he disappointed on the heavy track when beaten into second placing as an odds-on favourite behind King of Love.

“He’s a big, long striding horse and Hugh said he wouldn’t stretch out on the heavy track the other day,” Martin said.

“If you go back to his first campaign his only disappointing run then was on a wet track so that is why we brought him to Grafton.”

The Mikado got involved in the early battle for the front before Bowman eased out of the contest and settled son of Danehill Dancer in fifth spot on the rail.

Approaching the home turn, Bowman pushed the gelding out into clear running and got onto the back of his main danger in betting, Fear No Other before sprinting away down the straight.

“That’s more like the ability I know he has,” Martin said.

“I’m hoping this trip away can be the making of him.

“He’s shown me since day one he’s well above average but he’s still a big baby and learning his job.

“Today’s win will do his confidence no end of good.”

Fear No Other finished second after having the gun run, while Sweepstaking ran third after being shuffled back mid-race before charging home late.

The Mikado is being considered for a tilt at the $1 million Group I Golden Rose on his home track at Rosehill on August 29.

“We’ll go home now and try to get him into the Golden Rose,” he said.

“He’s going to need to win in Saturday company to get his prizemoney up so hopefully things continue to dry out in Sydney and you never know.”

The win took The Mikado’s career earnings to almost $50,000 from his five career starts.

The placings and margins: The Mikado 56kg ($2.50) (H Bowman) defeated Fear No Other 59kg ($7) (S Katsidis) by two lengths with Sweepstaking 57kg ($5.50) (B Stewart) a half head away in third place.

The time and sectionals: The overall time was 1.09.44secs and the final 600-metre sectional was run in 34.81secs [hand timed].

Winner’s breeding: The Mikado is a two-year-old colt by Danehill Dancer (IRE) out of Lirico (Rigoletto).

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GRAFTON, JULY 15, 2009 – The dynamic combination of Tim Martin and Tye Angland have dominated Ramornie Handicap day at Grafton with a quartet of winners on Wednesday.

The duo took out the main support race of the day, the Grafton Guineas with Morecambe Bay ($7) after earlier wins by Endear ($2.80), The Godfather ($2.60) and Street Lover ($3.40).

“It has been one of those special days you have at the races,” Martin said.

“We set a team for the carnival and when you can walk away with a few winners it is always satisfying.”

The victory by Morecambe Bay was the one that left the supporters with their hearts in their mouths when Angland almost got onto heels nearing the 200 metres when angling for a run but he balanced the filly up and darted back towards the rails and dived through late to hit the front in the final stride.

“She’s done a very good job,” Martin said.

“She’s a big rangy filly and for her to be able to pick herself up after being stopped in her tracks was a very encouraging effort.

“She’s a filly I predict has a bright future in the staying ranks.”

The four winners continues Angland’s dream run in recent weeks, highlighted by his Stradbroke Handicap win on Black Piranha
Martin said Angland had the hands of a young Hugh Bowman and predicts he’ll have a long and distinguished career in the saddle.

“Tye reminds me a lot of Hughie when he was a kid,” he said.

“They are horseman and have the gift, horses run for them.”

Martin concluded by paying tribute to his staff and owners for their continued support and efforts.

“Without a great team of people around you results like today cannot be achieved,” he said.

“I’ve got some wonderful owners and a team of staff as good as you’d find in the industry.”

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GRAFTON, July 14, 2009 – Dual Group I-winning sprinter Typhoon Zed will be an added attraction to Thursday’s Grafton Cup meeting when he kicks off his spring campaign in the Sir James Kirby Handicap (1000m).

Typhoon Zed’s trainer Tim Martin said he considered all options for the Manikato Stakes and The Galaxy winner but decided Thursday’s $30,000 was the best starting point in the upcoming campaign for the son of Zeditave.

“Taking him up to Grafton is a much better option than what we had originally planned,” Martin said.

“We were going to give him a trial at Rosehill before going into the Missile Stakes but the tracks are just too wet here."

Typhoon Zed will be ridden by Hugh Bowman and will carry 61kg in the Kirby Handicap and will give away 8kg to all of his rivals but Martin said the $20,000 winner’s cheque "would more than make up for it."

“He’s got 61kg but the good track up at Grafton will be much better for him than slogging it out on a heavy track in a barrier trial worth nothing.”

Martin said he gave plenty of thought to heading to Melbourne for the Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday but said the rising six-year-old would be away from home too long if he chose that option.

“It’s ten hours there and back on the float,” Martin said.

“He’d have to leave Sydney on Wendesday night and miss work, race there and have to leave pretty much straight after the race to be back here.”

Martin said the Missile Stakes was Typhoon Zed’s main Sydney target before the gelding heads to Melbourne to defend his Manikato Stakes title.

“We won’t be overtaxing him in the spring,” Martin said.

“He’ll run in the McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley before he runs in the Manikato on September 25.

“He’ll go straight out for a spell after the Manikato Stakes. He won’t be going on to the races he ran in later in the spring this year.”

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GRAFTON, July A possible lack of pace is the biggest factor that stands in the way of Tim Martin winning his first Ramornie Handicap on Wednesday with Teasing.

Martin has finished second in the Ramornie twice, once as an owner with Words Of Magic and once as a trainer with Bold William.

Just 12 horses have accepted for the race and Martin’s initial assessment of the field left him convinced the race would be run at a slow speed.

“There’s no obvious pace in the race which could be a problem,” Martin said.

“We actually wanted to go back but the lack of speed might mean we have to change our plans.”

Teasing enhanced her already imposing record when recording her eighth win from just 20 starts with a strong win over 1100 metres at Rosehill on July 4.

However, the daughter of More Than Ready has never won a race run at further than 1110 metres which concerns Martin, especially after Teasing drew barrier 10 for the $130,000 event.

“We still don’t really know whether she can run 1200 metres,” Martin said.

“So we were hoping to try and give her as soft a trip as possible to make sure she gets the trip.

“Maybe we might try and use the slow speed to slide forward to sit just off the speed without using too much energy but that’s something we’ll have to decide between now and race time.”

In-form jockey Tye Angland will take the Ramornie Handicap mount on Teasing and will be looking for his second stakes win of the week following his Weetwood Handicap win aboard Voice Commander at Toowoomba on Saturday.

Martin said victory in the Ramornie would give him one of his biggest thrills as Teasing’s part owner Ted King died last week.

It will be a sad day back home at Walcha,” Martin said.

“Ted and his wife, Colleen, have been my oldest clients.

“I’ve been training for them since 1988 when I was still at Walcha.

“It would be an enormous thrill to win the Ramornie with Teasing for them.

“It has been an emotional time, they have been great supporters of mine, he was an absolute gentleman."

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ROSEHILL, July 4, 2009 – The Tim Martin-trained Teasing has proved to her trainer she’s worthy of a Ramornie start after a powerful finish to claim the Upstream ‘Print Less’ Hanicap at Rosehill on Saturday.

Teasing was on trial at Rosehill for a trip north for the $100,000 Listed feature at Grafton on July 15.

“She’s earned a shot,” Martin said.

“That was a strong performance today and she’s the sort of horse that handles all surfaces and can change her racing pattern to suit the circumstances so she’s the ideal type for a Ramornie."

Ridden quietly after starting from the outside alley, Teasing was suited by the breakneck tempo of the race being set by The Take and Music Academy and after looking for a run for much of the straight a gap came in the final 200 metres and Teasing burst through to claim the prize.

“She is going very well this preparation,” Martin said.

“It looked a good race on paper but the barrier was a concern.

“It was a great ride by Chris and that was the difference between winning and losing today."

In a blanket finish the Canberra galloper Century Serb got up for second from Fangles who turned in an improved effort on a slow track that was firmer than what she’d faced in recent starts.

The heavily backed favourite Pins On Parade struggled to negotiate the home turn and his condition gave out over the final 100 metres and he weakened to finish in 5th.

The placings and margins: Teasing 55kg ($5.50) (C.Munce) defeated Century Serb 54kg ($17) (K.McEvoy) by a half neck with Fangles 54kg ($21) (T.Clark) a head away in third place.

The time and sectionals: The overall time was 1.05.42secs and the final 600-metre sectional was run in 35.81secs.

Winner’s breeding: Teasing is a six-year-old mare by More Than Ready (USA) out of Turned On (Switch In Time (IRE)).

Jockey comment: “I thought we were in trouble at the 300 but when the run came she burst through the gap for a super win,” Chris Munce said.

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SYDNEY, July 3, 2009 – Saturday’s performance in the Upsteam “Print Less” Handicap will decide if Tim Martin ventures to Grafton with his sharp sprinting mare Teasing.

The six-year-old daughter of More Than Ready made a strong return from a spell with a hard finishing third behind Kroner in the Listed June Stakes and Martin said the mare had trained on well since the run.

“She’s in great shape going into Saturday,” Martin said.

“The run has really topped her off and she’ll be at her top this weekend.”

Martin said Teasing’s draw of 10 hasn’t made her task easier but with the prospect of a good tempo he feels the mare won’t be disadvantaged.

“The likes of Biscayne Bay should ensure they don’t walk so I don’t think the barrier draw will pose too many problems,” he said.

“If the race is run to suit then I give her a genuine winning chance.”

Martin believes Teasing is the right type of sprinter to have a crack at the Northern Rivers feature sprint, the Listed Ramornie Handicap on July 15 and a competitive effort on Saturday will book her trip north to Grafton.

“If she runs up to my expectations then she’ll go to Grafton on Wednesday week,” he said.

“I think she’s the ideal horse for a Ramornie.

“She handles all track surfaces and is an adaptable type.”

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ROSEHILL, June 30, 2009 – With the Golden Rose firmly in the sights, Rosehill trainer Tim Martin’s stakes placed juvenile The Mikado will kick off his second racing campaign in the Sydney Retirement and Lifestyle Expo Maiden Plate at Canterbury on Wednesday.

The Mikado is the veteran of three starts with two of his runs being at Stakes level where he recorded a second placing behind Manhattan Rain in the Group III Skyline Stakes at Randwick before a close sixth to Tickets in the Group II Pago Pago Stakes.

“I’ve got no doubt he’s a group horse,” Martin said.

“Whether that means Group I or Group III only time will tell but he is well above average.”

Martin said The Mikado is one of those rare horses that doesn’t thrive when sent to the spelling paddock and after inspecting the colt back in May he decided to put him straight back into work.

“He loves the stable environment,” he said.

“He wasn’t doing well in the paddock so I brought him home and he put condition on and has done very well since.”

Martin is using Wednesday’s race as a launching pad for The Mikado’s spring assignments where he has a series of better class races on the programme with the $1 million Group II Golden Rose (1400m) as the main target at Rosehill on August 29.

“With the Golden Rose coming up so early in the spring we need to get him up and running and earn some prizemoney,” Martin said.

“He’s only won about $25,000 and just because he’s promising doesn’t mean he will get into the race.

“We need to strike a couple of blows over before the race so you could say we are trying to get a head start.

“Even though he hasn’t trialled he’s done plenty of work and fitness won’t be used as an excuse tomorrow.

“Under the set-weight conditions of the race I’d expect him to have too much class for them.”

Martin said the prospect of a heavy track was unlikely to stop The Mikado from lining up at Canterbury but he would make a final decision on race morning after walking the track.

“I’m not worries if it is heavy I just wouldn’t like to run him on a greasy track,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to the track manager Lindsay Murphy who said it’s wet but ok.”

Martin will also saddle up Zuzela in the www.theraces.com.au Handicap over 1550m.

The Gerry Harvey-owned filly has finished second at her two career starts but the stable are confident she can break through for her maiden race win.

“She bumped into a good one [Devilish Intent] last time but on paper this does look the easiest race she has run in,” he said.

“The horse is fit and well and I’m expecting she’ll prove hard to beat.”

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SYDNEY, June 25, 2009 – Tim Martin believes his two-year-old filly Hemem can break through for her first city win in the www.theraces.com.au Handicap over 1100m at Rosehill on Saturday.

The lightly raced daughter of Redoute’s Choice showed plenty of fighting qualities last Saturday on the heavy track at Randwick when a game third behind Clean Up on the Kensington track.

“I was very happy with her run and she probably wasn’t in the best part of the track in the straight,” Martin said.

“Despite that she fought on very bravely in the straight and I thought it was a great effort.”

Martin said Hemem had taken no harm from last weekend’s run and coming back from 1200m is a big plus.

“The 1100m trips looks perfect,” Martin said.

“She’s taken no harm from last week’s run and I’d expect her to be very competitive again.”

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SYDNEY, June 18, 2009 – Tim Martin will go to Randwick on Saturday with plenty of optimism about the prospects of the stable’s two runners.

Martin feels the best chance is the lightly raced stayer Morecambe Bay in the NTS Business Communications Handicap over 1800m.

Morecambe Bay is a daughter of Caulfield Cup winner Diatribe and Martin was more than pleased with her first-up fourth at Randwick behind the promising Shatters.

“She’s done really well coming out of that run,” Martin said.

“She’s a naturally fit staying type, very clean winded, and I’ve got no concerns over getting to 1800 metres second-up.

“The trip is ideal actually and she’ll handle the ground so I give her a good hope.”

Martin’s other starter for the day is the last start winner Hemem in the Coach and Horses Handicap over 1200m.

The two-year-old daughter of Redoute’s Choice was taken to Canberra for her first run back from a spell and she proved superior to her rivals and powered to the line full of running to win by a widening 1.8 lengths.

“I’m concerned about the soft track – I just don’t know if she will get through it,” he said.

“That makes it hard to go to the races with any confidence but in saying that if she can get through it then she also has a hope.

“She’s got the ability to win in town and I didn’t think this was an overly strong race.

“Tomorrow’s a bit of a learning curve with her.”

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SYDNEY, June 5, 2009 – Tim Martin is warning punters not to underestimate the chances of his lightly raced filly Morecambe Bay in the Friends of Royal Randwick Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

The three-year-old is by the Caulfield Cup winner Diatribe and has only had four career starts but she registered her only victory in the heavy conditions at Hawkesbury during her first racing campaign in November last year.

“She is a filly that will get over more ground but she’s come back in good shape, bigger and stronger and she’s more switched on this time in,” Martin said.

“She’s only had one start in the heavy and she relished it.

“She was very impressive that day so I’ve got no concerns with her handling the conditions tomorrow.”

Morecambe Bay has been given a good foundation into her first-up run tomorrow and was given an easy time in her only lead-up barrier trial on May 14.

“I didn’t want her to do too much in the trial because she’s done plenty of work,” he said.

“She’s going to improve off whatever she does on Saturday but she’s fit enough to run a race.

“I wouldn’t rule her out of contention, especially with the heavy ground.

“She’ll be decent odds and you could do sillier things than to have something each-way on her.”

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SYDNEY, June 4, 2009 – Tim Martin’s smart sprinting mate Teasing is one horse that will relish the heavy conditions at Randwick on Saturday.

The six-year-old will have her second run back from a spell in the Listed June Stakes over 1100m.

First-up from a spell, Teasing finished a solid second behind Flushing Meadows in the open 1000m sprint at Scone on Cup day, May 15.

“She turned in a great run first-up and has trained on well since,” Martin said.

Teasing has only had 18 career starts but a testament to the placing of the mare throughout her career is her seven wins and another four placings.

Over the 1100m, Teasing has won three times from seven starts and has been successful twice from four goes in heavy ground.

“All her stats say tomorrow’s race is perfect,” he said.

“It is a step up in class but she deserves a crack at a listed race and this is as good a time of the year as any.

“In a tough race I think you have to give her a genuine each-way chance.”

Teasing will be ridden by Jay Ford and is currently a $14 chance with TAB Sportsbet in fixed-odds betting.

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SYDNEY, May 29, 2009 – The Stradbroke Handicap plans are over for quality galloper Kiloton after succumbing to a heal problem.

Trainer Tim Martin said his speed machine will go to the paddock for a well deserved break before making an assault on the spring carnival.

“It was one of those preps that we were always behind the eight ball and nothing went right,” Martin said.

“We saw what he was capable of at Rosehill but we were dealing with niggly little issues the whole way along and they caught up with him.

“A good spell now and then with a bit of luck we’ll get to see what he’s made of in the spring and I’m sure he has a good race in him.”

The Rosehill stable will be represented by only one runner on Saturday with two-year-old filly Lupara contesting the Rosehill Events Centre Handicap over 1400m.

Lupara steps up from a narrow 1.7 length, 7th in maiden company at Kembla on May 16 but Martin said she will start over the odds.

“One thing I know for sure is that she’s not a $51 chance like the papers are saying,” Martin said.

“Forget about the Kembla race she wasn’t suited by the 1000m and you’ll see a much better racehorse over 1400m tomorrow.

“She is one of those two-year-olds that will improve out of sight from her first start and I’ve seen those signs at home since that run.

“I think she has a good each-way hope using her work as a guide.”

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SYDNEY, May 27, 2009 – The search for “better ground” will see the Tim Martin stable make a trip to Canberra on Friday with two runners.

Recent wet tracks and the prospect of that continuing in the short term around Sydney and the provincial circuit has prompted Martin to head to the nation’s capital with a promising two-year-old and a horse nearing peak fitness.

“Canberra is a lovely big and fair track and its not too far away,” stable foreman Pat Cannon said.

“It’s a track Tim has had luck at in the past and they are expecting a dead surface so that suits us better than what they are serving up in the metropolitan area at the moment.”

The stable will start the day with two-year-old filly Hemem in the ACTEWAGL 2YO Handicap over 1000m.

The daughter of Redoute’s Choice is raced by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, who originally raced Martin’s former gun juvenile Murtajill.

Hemem made her debut at Hawkesbury on February 5 and turned in an encouraging performance when fighting strongly to finish third behind Italian Princess.

“She has come back a horse that has taken plenty of benefit from a racing campaign,” Cannon said.

“She’s bigger, stronger and knows what her job is about now.

“We didn’t trial her but she has done plenty of work and is ready to give a strong performance.”

Hemem will be ridden by leading Riverina jockey Nick Souquet.

The other runner for the Martin camp is the six-year-old mare Secret Relations in the Solitaire Homes Open Handicap over 1000m.

The daughter of Secret Savings has had two runs back from a 400-day lay-off, the most recent, a 3.5 lengths unplaced effort behind the subsequent Saturday metropolitan placegetter Rubirose.

Secret Relations has worked strongly since her latest run at Canterbury on May 6 and is closing in on peak fitness according to Cannon.

“She had a long break and has need the two runs since the spell,” he said.

“She’s pretty close to the mark now and back to 1000m is what she is looking for.

“We are expecting the Canberra track to be relatively dry for this time of the year and she does her best racing on dry tracks.

“She should run very well in a competitive and tough race.”

Secret Relations with be handled by Takeover Target’s jockey Jay Ford.

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BRISBANE, May 15, 2009 – Exciting galloper Kiloton faces a career defining moment in Saturday’s Group III BTC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben.

Kiloton is being targeted at the Group I Stradbroke on June 6 where he is well down in the order of entry and victory in Saturday’s handicap will give him the chance to be re-handicapped for Queensland’s biggest race.

“He needs to win on Saturday and hopefully get a 1kg penalty which would pretty much guarantee him a start in the Stradbroke,” trainer Tim Martin said.

“So Saturday is a pretty important day in the horse’s career.”

After scraping into Saturday’s field, Martin was pleased to be informed that Kiloton will start from barrier 4 in what his trainer describes as a “very competitive race”.

“The barrier is perfect and with an even share of luck he gets his chance from there,” he said.

“It’s a good race and the likes of El Cambio and Rightfully Yours won’t be easy to beat but Kiloton is well and fit and has a great chance.”

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BRISBANE, May 12, 2009 – Tim Martin has an anxious wait to see if his smart galloper Kiloton makes it into the field for Saturday’s $125,000 Group III BTC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben.

The race will see a field of 20 face the starter and the impressive last start Rosehill winner is equal 20th in the order of entry along with two other nominations.

“It’s a bit of a worry but it’s out of my hands so we just have to hope,” Martin said.

“If he doesn’t get a run he’ll go around the following week in the Doomben 10000 but that’s not our preferred option.”

Martin said Kiloton has improved since he trounced a strong field at Rosehill on May 2 and the horse worked strongly at Doomben on Tuesday morning.

“He has really thrived since he arrived in Queensland and worked very strongly this morning,” he said.

“He’s tightened up again since his last run so now we need a run.

“A barrier will be a bonus too.”

Kiloton’s main Queensland aim is the Stradbroke Handicap on June 6 but he would need to win on Saturday to attract a penalty to enhance his chances of making the field.

“He’s got 51kg in the Straddie and is well down in the order of entry,” Martin said.

“A win on the weekend gives him the chance of getting a penalty and another kilo would put him pretty close to the mark.

“If we don’t get a run on Saturday then he can force his way into it by winning the 10000 as it has ballot exemption status.”

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ROSEHILL, May 2, 2009 – The Stradbroke Handicap is firmly on the agenda for the Tim Martin-trained Kiloton after a smashing win at Rosehill on Saturday.

With the addition of blinkers, Kiloton was a different horse and he raced away, demoralising his rivals.

“That was the real Kiloton,” Trainer Tim Martin’s stable foreman Pat Cannon said.

“The blinkers woke him up and he’s shown what he is capable of today.”

Tye Angland bounced Kiloton out of the gates and he was able to control the speed up front before setting sail for home on straightening and the five-year-old entire put a space on his rivals before being shut down near the line.

“He’s got the turn of foot of a good horse as you saw,” Cannon said.

“It’s onwards and upwards now.”

Kiloton will go straight to Queensland where he will have his next start in the Group III BTC Sprint on May 16 before his grand final in the $1 million Group I Stradbroke Handicap on June 6.

“He’s likely to have another run between the BTC Sprint and the Straddie but at this stage it’s undecided what in,” Cannon said.

“A lot will depend on where he is in the order of entry for the Stradbroke.”

The placings and margins: Kiloton 54kg ($3.50) (T.Angland) defeated My Sweet Cookie 53kg ($9) (R.Quinn) by 2-1/4 lengths with Rainbow Styling 53kg ($8.50) (J.Cassidy) 1-1/4 lengths away in third place.

The time and sectionals: The overall time was 1.23.28 and the final 600 metre sectional was run in 34.57 seconds.

Winner’s breeding: Kiloton is a five-year-old entire by Spinning World (USA) out of Tycoon Scene (IRE) (Last Tycoon (IRE)).

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SYDNEY, May 1, 2009 – Talented galloper Rock Song makes his return to the races on Saturday when he contests the Masterton Homes Handicap at Rosehill.

Rock Song strung two wins together in a row last campaign before struggling to see out the 2000m of the Albury Cup and trainer Tim Martin gave the gelding a let-up.

He returns tomorrow and looks set to play a big part over a suitable 1400m.

“The horse has freshened up very well and we expect him to run a bold race tomorrow,” stable foreman Pat Cannon said.

“He won at his only start over 1400m and the class drop also plays into his hands.”

The stable will also saddle up the Stradbroke Handicap bound Kiloton in the Marshall Motors Handicap over 1400m.

After two runs back from a spell, Kiloton is expected to figure in tomorrow’s race with the class drop being significant.

“He’s only 1kg over the limit and it’s grades easier than his last start in the Galaxy,” Cannon said.

“He’ll be a fitter horse tomorrow and should be pretty hard to beat.”

Rounding at the Rosehill team is Jealous Guy in the Camden Hire Handicap.

The three-year-old gelding was disappointing when down the track at his last start and needs to raise the bar if he is to be competitive in what is a strong off season three-year-old event.

“The horse was very disappointing at Newcastle but has done well since,” Cannon said.

“He needs to go better here but he can and we are hopeful of a respectable effort.”

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SYDNEY, April 28, 2009 – Rosehill trainer Tim Martin has put in place a back-up plan to ensure his Stradbroke Handicap bound galloper Kiloton has a vital start on Saturday.

Kiloton was a nomination yesterday for the $175,000 Listed Prime Ministers Cup (1300m) at the Gold Coast but Martin started to get nervous when he discovered his smart galloper was equal 22nd in the order of entry.

“I’ve thrown in a nomination for the open handicap (1400m) at Rosehill because he needs to run this weekend,” Martin said.

“He’s such a good doer he can get away from you quickly so it is important that he runs somewhere on Saturday.

“They run 16 on the Gold Coast so he might struggle to get into the field but if that’s the case we’ll go to the back-up plan and stay home.”

Should Kiloton go to the Gold Coast he’ll be ridden by Matthew Palmer and if he runs at Rosehill, Tye Angland will be aboard.

Martin reported Kiloton has “blossomed” since disappointing when finishing down the track in the Galaxy on Derby day at Randwick.

“His work has gone up a notch and the horse has really responded,” he said.

“He was still pretty big in condition in the Galaxy but has really started to trim up since the run.

“You’ll see a marked improvement wherever he runs on Saturday.”

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SYDNEY, April 9, 2009 – Last year Tim Martin saddled up Typhoon Zed to win the Galaxy at Randwick and he thinks he has a realistic chance of again winning the race with Kiloton.

Kiloton was drawn as the first emergency but has gained a start in the $350,000 Group I after the Mick Price-trained Bel Mer was scratched.

Kiloton is one of Sydney’s most exciting sprinting prospects and victory in Saturday’s feature race would set the son of Spinning World up for a prosperous stallion career.

“He was purchased by Wellfield Lodge in New Zealand prior to this campaign,” Martin said.

“If he can claim a Group I sprint this campaign he will become a serious stallion prospect back in New Zealand.”

Martin commented that Kiloton has had a very different preparation to the one he gave to Typhoon Zed leading into the weekend but he can see similarities leading into the 1100 metre scamper.

“They are very different horses with different targets but I’m going into Saturday very happy, as I was 12-months ago.

“Typhoon Zed is a pure speed horse while I feel Kiloton is best suited over 1400 metres and that is why the Stradbroke is his main target but he’s got plenty of brilliance and with the amount of speed in the race on Saturday he’ll get his chance.”

Kiloton resumed from a spell at Rosehill three weeks ago and looked very big in condition pre race before finishing third in the Group III Star Kingdom Stakes (1100m) behind The Jackal and fellow Galaxy contender Black Prince.

“His condition blew out 100 metres from home but we knew he’d improve off the run,” said Martin.

“He’s come along in leaps and bounds since that run and is going into Saturday a much fitter horse.

“Being realistic he is going to improve again out of Saturday but he’s pretty close to the mark and if things go his way in the run I expect him to be right in the thick of it.”

TAB Sportsbet currently have Kiloton at $17 in the Galaxy.

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The confidence is growing around the Tim Martin Racing stable that quality filly Indian Ocean can give the Golden Slipper a massive shake when she lines up against 15 of the best two-year-olds in the land at Rosehill on Saturday.

The daughter of Danehill Dancer has come through last Saturday’s win in the Magic Night Stakes in “great order” according to Martin and while it is unknown how the filly will handle the heavy track expected on the weekend it could be a “blessing in disguise”.

“My main concern about running this filly in the Slipper was I thought she’s looking for 1400m to a mile,” Martin said.

“With a heavy track it will take the speed out of the race and make things more of a slog.

“That will turn the race into more of a test and suits us.

“I don’t know how she will handle the heavy but from a good draw she’ll get the run of the race and if she does get through it then I’m confident she’ll be in the thick of it when it counts.”

One of only three trainers with multiple runners, Martin will also saddle the outsider Zikmann who he thinks is up against it on the heavy ground.

“He doesn’t like it wet so for him it’s not ideal,” said Martin.

“We are just hoping he can finish in the first eight and earn some good prizemoney.

“The horse is fit and well and I cannot fault him.”

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SYDNEY, March 31, 2009 – The Tim Martin Racing Stable has had its bets hedged at today’s Golden Slipper barrier draw in Martin Place with the stable’s two runners drawing at opposite ends of the field.

Last Saturday’s Magic Night Stakes winner Indian Ocean will start from barrier two and Martin is warming to her chances with the Slipper only five days away.

“Indian Ocean has enough early speed to take advantage of that gate,” Martin said.

“I don’t know that she’ll handle the heavy track but I do think it will slow the race down which will suit her so I’m growing with confidence.

“It’s going to make the race more of a stamina a test than a speed battle which will suit my filly.”

Not so fortunate at the draw was Indian Ocean’s stablemate Zikmann who will jump from barrier 15.

“It makes things tough for him,” said Martin.

“Combined with the wet track he has the task ahead.

“In saying that the horse is fit and well and we are hoping he can finish in the first eight and earn some prizemoney.”

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SYDNEY, March 29, 2009 – Top Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman will partner Indian Ocean in Saturday’s $3.5 million Group I Golden Slipper.

Bowman was aboard both Indian Ocean and Tickets in their Golden Slipper qualifying wins at Rosehill on Saturday.

Indian Ocean’s trainer Tim Martin said Indian Ocean had come through her Magic Night win better than he had expected.

“She lost about four kilos after the run but she ate up well overnight,” Martin said.

“At this stage I am very happy with the way she has come through the run and we’re now looking forward to Saturday with Hugh Bowman riding.”

Indian Ocean, who was never closer than four-wide in winning the Magic Night, is a $26 Golden Slipper chance.

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ROSEHILL, MARCH 28, 2009 – The Tim Martin-trained filly Indian Ocean clinched a Golden Slipper start with an against-the-odds win in the Parramatta Leagues Magic Night Stakes at Rosehill.

While Indian Ocean cannot be balloted from the Golden Slipper but Martin remains non-committal about a start.

“I’ll just see how she pulls up and I’ve got until Tuesday to make that decision,” Martin said.

“It’s a big temptation. I’ll chat to the owners and really it’s going to come down to what they want more than me.

“I just feel she isn’t fast enough for a Slipper and my advice to them will be to wait the two weeks for the Sires’ Produce.”

Indian Ocean travelled no closer than five wide for the 1200-metre journey.

“I said to Hughie [Bowman] before the race not to go dragging her back but instead just have her where she is happy,” Martin said.

“While she was covering plenty of ground out that wide she wasn’t cluttered up and stopping and starting.

“It was a bit of a fright close to the line but she’s a tough bugger my girl and is very promising.”

In contrast to the ride aboard Indian Ocean, Marquardt’s jockey Peter Robl elected to go back from the wide draw and she charged home up along the inside to get within a half head of the winner.

The Chris Waller-trained Shawnee Girl finished third, just ahead of the $5 favourite Lovemelikearock.

The placings and margins: Indian Ocean 55.5kg ($14) (H.Bowman) defeated Marquardt 55.5kg ($5.50) (P.Robl) by a half head with Shawnee Girl 55.5kg ($31) (N.Rawiller) a length back in third.

The time and sectionals: The overall time for the race was 1.10.76 secs, 0.53 secs quicker than the time recorded by Tickets in the Pago Pago and the final 600 metres was run in 35.21 secs, 0.25 secs slower than the Pago Pago.

Winner’s breeding: A two-year-old filly by Danehill Dancer (IRE) x Dashkova (Fasliyev (USA)).

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SYDNEY, March 27, 2009 – The Tim Martin Racing Stables will mount a last ditch effort to secure a starter in Saturday week’s $3.5 million Golden Slipper at Rosehill tomorrow when they saddle up two juveniles.

Promising colt The Mikado will line up in the Group II Darley Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) while Indian Ocean will face off against the girls in the Group II Parramatta Leagues Club Magic Night Stakes over the 1200m trip.

Martin has put the blinkers on The Mikado following his second placing to Manhattan Rain in the Group III Skyline Stakes on the advise of leading Sydney jockey Corey Brown who told the trainer following the race The Mikado “never touched the bridle”.

“Corey was of the opinion the blinkers will improve him sharply and his work in them since has been as good as he has worked,” said Tim.

“They appear to have woken him up and we are going into Saturday with a degree of confidence.”

The Mikado is not entered in the Golden Slipper but should he win tomorrow it will give his owners the additional ammunition to pay the $150,000 late entry fee.

“He would need to win and win impressively but he’s a good colt and you only get a shot at the Slipper once in their career.”

Stablemate Indian Ocean on the other hand is currently in 13th in the Golden Slipper order of entry and a good performance tomorrow will ensure the filly makes the final field.

Indian Ocean won her first two starts before resuming from a break in the Kindergarten Stakes where she made up late ground to only finish 3.5 lengths behind the winner.

“She has come on a lot since that run and I’m expecting her to be right in the thick of it tomorrow,” said Tim.

“She has drawn awkwardly but with a big field they should roll along and if she can get the breaks in the run home I think she has a strong chance.”

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ALBURY, MARCH 26, 2009 – Tomorrow’s Albury Cup marks the fork in the road for Tim Martin’s promising galloper Rock Song.

Rock Song has been impressive winning his last two metropolitan starts but it is the increase in distance up to the 2000 metres in the $125,000 Quality that will decide the horse’s future.

“It’s been said that he is a question mark at the 2000 metres and I think it looks an ideal race to find out,” Martin said.

“I know he failed at his only attempt but he there were underlying reasons for that.

“He was at the end of his campaign, his first campaign, and he did over race badly.

“I think he’ll run it, I think he’s looking for it.”

Martin reported the horse has thrived since defeating Barlagarney in a two metropolitan win race at Randwick on March 7, a race that has produced a subsequent city winner.

“The performance of Keepin’ The Dream last Saturday makes Rock Song’s form look pretty good,” he said.

“He’s handled the increase in work since his last run three weeks ago, looks bright and doing very well.

“I’m expecting a solid performance and he’ll be hard to beat.”

Travelling down to Albury with their Cup bound stablemate are Jealous Guy and Just A Touch.

Just A Touch starts the day for the team in the Primo Small Goods Maiden Handicap over 1175m and Jealous Guy lines up in the MV Manufacturing Class 2 Handicap (1000m).

“Jealous Guy is a horse I’ve always had an opinion of and has been gelded and I can see the difference in his attitude so I’m expecting him to have a good campaign,” said Martin.

“Just A Touch might find them a bit sharp for him as he’s a miler resuming but he’s sprinted well fresh in the past so he’ll be hitting the line.”
The 99-time Group One winning jockey Jim Cassidy will be making the trek to Albury and he’ll partner Martin’s three runners.

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SYDNEY, MARCH 19, 2009 – Rosehill trainer Tim Martin refuses to concede his juvenile Zikmann is making up the numbers in Saturday’s $300,000 Group II Jacob’s Creek Sparking Todman Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill.

Since Zikmann’s defeat in the Black Opal Stakes at Canberra Martin has added the blinkers to the gear of the son of Fastnet Rock and it has produced a “much sharper and focused” horse heading into Saturday’s Golden Slipper qualifier.

“We thought he could win at Canberra but he was a bit one paced so I’ve been forced to throw the blinkers on going into Saturday,” said Martin.

“His work has transformed in the shades and his gallop on Tuesday morning was much sharper.

“There is no doubt he’s looking for 1400m but Slippers only come along once in their lifetime so you have to have a go.

“I’ve got no doubt he’ll race a lot better in the blinkers and he’s not out of it from a good draw.”

The other stable runner at Rosehill on Saturday is the exciting sprinter Kiloton who resumes from a spell in the $125,000 Group III Big6 Star Kingdom Stakes over 1100m.

Kiloton will be out to keep his unbeaten first-up record intact and the lightly raced five-year-old entire has been produced two solid trial performances that suggest he’ll be hard to beat again this weekend.

“He is going to improve on whatever he does this weekend but when a horse has won three from three first-up from a spell you must respect them when they go to the races,” said Martin.

“It’s a very strong field and there is quite a bit of speed in the race but from barrier 5 I’d expect him to get the run of the race and he’ll give a sight.

“He’s got a great each-way chance.”

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SYDNEY, March 19, 2009 – Late starter Ashbaa will be attempting to keep his unbeaten run in tact when he has his second start in the Eaton Moeller Class 2 Handicap over 900m at Newcastle on Saturday.

The rising five-year-old made his debut over this weekend’s track and distance on March 7 and after racing on the speed he accelerated strongly at the top of the straight before cruising home to win by five and a half lengths.

The entire has pleased trainer Tim Martin since that victory and he expects the horse to be particularly hard to beat again this weekend.

“He’s done very well since his debut and he’ll be very hard to beat again this weekend,” Martin said.

Provided Ashbaa performs to stable expectations on Saturday he is likely to have the bar raised with a race in town in the offering.

“I’ve got a race or two in the back of my mind for him during the Randwick carnival but that hinges on how he goes on Saturday,” Tim said.

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25/02/2009: The stable had mixed success on the weekend, with Rock Song coming up trumps at Rosehill in the Rating 86 1500m Handicap, with Jim Cassidy on board. Typhoon Zed also ran down in Melbourne in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate, running a close third place behind winner Swiss Ace, after drawing yet another awful barrier in barrier 17.

Jimmy Cassidy gave Rock Song a superb ride, after the horse blundered earlier on. The adverse conditions didn’t seem to affect the horse either, after a torrential downpour earlier in the day, when the first race had to be postponed.

Rock Song stretched out in the straight and rocketed home to win by one length over Cool Duke. The win took Rock Songs tally of wins up to 3 from 7 starts.
The horse pulled up very well from his win and is on target to run again on March 7 at Randwick.

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18/02/2009: Typhoon Zed will run in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield this weekend in a follow up to his second place in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes behind Scenic Blast at the end of January.

Typhoon Zed’s work has been very pleasing leading up to the race, unfortunately he has drawn a wide barrier yet again, in gate 19 from 20. Hugh Bowman will be on board this time.

Lightning Stakes winner Scenic Blast, drew a perfect gate in gate 7, allowing him to get to the outside and make a charge in the straight similar to his barnstorming Lightning Stakes performance.
Other runners this weekend include Stalingrad and 2yo The Mikado at Rosehill.

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12/01/2008: Tim Martin Bloodstock has come back from the Magic Millions sale with one lovely athletic filly, by renowned Australian sire General Nediym.
With the big lots still bringing the big money, there were still bargains to be bought lower down the price ladder.

This filly was one of these great buys, with General Nediym progeny bringing up to $300,000 and selling for an average of $115,000.

Go to the “Horses Available” page for more information on her.

Tim Martin Bloodstock will be attending other major sales this season, with the next main one being the Inglis Classic Sale at the beginning of February here in Sydney. Tim has had a lot of success with this sale including double Group 1 winner Typhoon Zed.

Please do not hesitate to contact the stable or Tim to discuss any ownership or yearling selection questions.

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29/12/2008: Stable juvenile filly Indian Ocean impressed again with a strong win in at Rosehill to make it two victories from her only two starts.
Sent out the $1.35 favourite in the five-horse field, Indian Ocean was taken straight to the front by Jim Cassidy in Saturday’s Rosehill Gardens Events Handicap (1200m).
Cassidy gave her a breather mid-race and just when it looked as if Indian Ocean might be challenged, she switched on to go to the line strongly three-quarters of a length ahead of Shadow Miss.
Tim Martin said he had been in two minds whether to give the filly another run this time around following her debut win over 1100 metres two weeks ago.
“I didn't really expect to run her twice this preparation but she did really well after her first start,” Martin said.
"I’ll bring her back and look at the fillies races leading into the Golden Slipper [on April 4]. She’s an early comer and has done everything we’ve asked of her so far but I’ve got no doubt she’ll get better as she gets older and will get over longer trips as well."
Cassidy commented "She is a very nice filly in the making."
Indian Ocean is raced by a syndicate comprised mainly of personnel from Coolmore Stud as well as Sydney publican Donnacha Reidy.
Michael Kirwan, general manager of Coolmore Australia, said the group was very excited about the filly’s future.

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15/12/2008: Indian Ocean made an outstanding debut when she led all the way to claim the Resumed Asia Pacific Handicap over 1100m at Rosehill on Saturday.

The daughter of Danehill Dancer is the first horse Tim Martin has trained for the high profile group of owners that includes the Coolmore Syndicate and other high profile racing persons.
“It’s the perfect start for the relationship,” Martin said.
Jockey, Hugh Bowman gave her a good start from the barriers, she then took up the running and on straightening she appeared in danger when the Chris Waller-trained Stryker came up on the outside, but passing the 200m the filly quickly gained the upper hand and strode clear over the final 100 metres to win by 2 lengths.
“I was confident about her chances until I saw that Chris [Waller] has put his colt in the race because I thought he had trialled very well,” Martin said.
“I think she had a fitness edge looking at both horses before the race and that was the defining factor in the end.
“She is a lovely filly possessed with plenty of natural ability but she is still very rangey and will continue to improve.”
Bowman commented “She is a lovely scopey filly. There is plenty of upside to her.”
The filly has pulled up extremely well from the run and will run next at Rosehill on December 27th.

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04/12/2008: Friday Nights displayed a convincing win at Canterbury on Thursday night, winning the Rating 75 1900m handicap.
On a leaders night, Friday Nights jumped well from the gates and set the pace at the front of the pack, leading the entire race, and surging home in the final stages of the race to win by a long neck.
Corey Brown rode the horse to victory and was impressed with his performance. Corey also rode the horse in his last win on the same track at the start of October.
Tim has much experience with the family of Friday Nights, as he is out of the mare Kylemore who is also the dam of Johnny Reb, who Tim trained to win just under $400,000 and Power of Pegasus who won over $312,000.
More Natural, also progeny of Kylemore’s, is the dam of Stallion Oh Oklahoma, who was second in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas in 2006 and now stands at Illala Stud in Scone.
The family seems to show improvement with each run and with age, so we are looking forward to plenty more to come from Friday Nights.

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05/11/2008: To Spur With Love has kept his prizemoney earning spree going with a very close second in the NMW 1600m Handicap at Randwick yesterday, on the biggest day in Australian racing – Melbourne Cup Day.
Spur was coming off a first placing at Kembla Grange 10 days earlier in his second start back after a spell.
To Spur with Love fought on continuously down the straight but was just beaten by half a neck. Pat Murphy, who has ridden the horse in the last two starts was pleased with Spurs efforts and thought the increase in distance to a mile suited him well.
Spur has been a great success for the members of the first Girls Racing Club Syndicate (www.girlsracingclub.com.au) having now won just under $58,000!!
Spur will be having his next start at Canterbury, in the first night racing meeting of the season on Thursday November 20th.

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28/10/2008: Zikmann, a handsome colt but Coolmore sire Fastnet Rock added another win on the board for the stable with an impressive first placing at Rosehill on Saturday, in a Open 2yo race over 1100m.
Zikmann is out of double winning racemare Belle Feline and was bred and is owned by Alex & Deidre Illes along with Tim.
Zikmann debuted at the first 2yo trials at Rosehill, earning himself a place in the Listed Breeders Plate at Randwick on Epsom Day, where he ran a gallant 4th on wet track.
This was Zikmann’s second start, and his win will keep him in people’s minds for the upcoming Autumn 2yo season.
The colt has gone out for a spell and will be bought back in time for preparation toward the rich list of two-year-old races on offer in the Autumn.

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16/09/2008: Before Typhoon Zed’s Group 1 is Melbourne, the stable were also celebrating back in Sydney with Exciting galloper Kiloton remaining unbeaten as he took the next step towards the Epsom Handicap with an easy win in the Nivea Visage Handicap over 1350 m at Rosehill.

Kiloton took his record to four from four and he will now step up to Stakes company for the first time.

“The Bill Ritchie is his next assignment and then hopefully to the Epsom,”

After beginning brilliantly Kiloton travelled behind the speed which was being carved out by Voice Commander and Testimonial until jockey Hugh Bowman eased around the leaders heels on straightening and he cruised to the front before shotting clear and holding off the fast finishers Strat’s Flyer and Dealers.

“Tim doesn’t give praise light heartedly but since day one he’s raved about this horse,” Hugh Bowman added, “I don’t like to say it but he could nearlyride himself he’s that good.”

Kiloton 56kg ($1.80) (H.Bowman) defeated Strat’s Flyer 57kg ($7) (C.Brown) by one and a half lengths with Dealers 54kg ($6) (K.McEvoy) a further one and a quarter lengths back in third.

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16/09/2008: Typhoon Zed overcame a wide barrier draw to score a gutsy win in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley, the first Group I race of the 2008-2009 horse racing season at Flemington on Saturday.

The five-year-old gelding, who had never won beyond 1100m, jumped from gate No.11 in the 14-horse field, and jockey Nash Rawiller went forward and sat off race leader Kaphero – as was the plan in the 1200m feature.

Typhoon Zed claimed him to win at $8, holding out the late challenge from Absolut Glam ($7) by a short half-head after gaining a split in the straight. Kaphero was a long neck away third at $5.50.

Tim decided to race Typhoon Zed in the with the past two winners Miss Andretti and Gold Edition now retired and stars Weekend Hussler, Takeover Target and Apache Cat on different programs.

“It's no fluke,” Martin said of Typhoon Zed.

"He’s a terrific horse. He’s pretty honest.

"When the barrier draw came out, I was really worried. But he travelled down well and I was quite happy with him.

"He had to do a bit of work early but there was no pressure mid-race, which helped him."

Typhoon Zed has built up an excellent record, having won seven of his 17 starts, with six placings, for $798,410 in prizemoney, but he had previously raced four times at 1200m for third placings in
last year’s Salinger Stakes at Flemington and when first-up this preparation in the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton in July.

For the now Sydney-based Rawiller, it was his second Manikato success having won the race aboard Piavonic, who defeated the great mare Sunline in 2001.

“He amazed me on the line how far he stuck his head out,” Rawiller said of Typhoon Zed.

Martin said he would freshen up Typhoon Zed for the Group II Thai Airways International Sprint over 1100m at Caulfield on October 18 and go on to the Group II Salinger Stakes over 1200m at Flemington on November 1.

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03/09/2008: After a double win at Rosehill on Saturday, the stable enjoyed continuing success yesterday with an impressive day at the trials.

Star colt, Murtajill was the star performer at the trials yesterday demolishing his rivals in the trial field.

“I think he has come back better this time” commented Tim.

Danny Nikolic rode the horse, and was pleased with his performance and the way he felt.

Murtajill won the trial by 8 lengths in 1.02.53 for the 1030m trip.

Murtjill will now head of to Melbourne next week in preparation for the Group 3 Gilgai Stakes over 1200m at Flemington on the 4th of October. After which he will most probably be freshened up for the Age Classic.

The stable also enjoyed winning the first two-year-old trial of the season with Fastnet Rock colt, Zikmann.

“Zikmann is a lovely colt and has always shown ability. I was very pleased with his trial and he will now start in the Breeders Plate on Epsom Cup day”.

Mirabeau, also had his first trial back, running an impressive trial, just knocking up in the last 100m. He will have another trial in a fortnight.

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01/09/2008: The stable enjoyed a double Saturday Metropolitan victory on Saturday, when taking out the first race of the day with Kiloton, who was having only his third start. The horse has been in the stable for around 9 weeks and has had two trials, then headed to Rosehill on Saturday.

Group 1 winner Typhoon Zed completed the double victory in the last race of the day, the Group 3 Concorde Stakes. It was a very nail biting finish between Typhoon Zed and ex-stable horse Raheeb, who is now trained by A Cummings after being sold to Patinack Farm.

“It was a very satisfying win, as I had put a lot of work into Raheeb when we had him”

“It was a huge effort by Typhoon Zed and a great way to end the day”

Jockey Corey Brown, was very happy with the ride commenting “He toughed it out well. It was a good run”.

Kiloton will run again at Rosehill on the 13th and Typhoon Zed will now head down to Melbourne next week in preparation for the Group 1 Manikato over 1200m.

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05/06/2008: Huamulan, a 2yo Lonhro filly out of Lady Mulan, started her career with an impressive run at Canterbury on Wednesday winning on debut in the Winter Racefest Handicap (1250m) at Canterbury on Wednesday.

The win gave Lonhro his third individual winner and sixth win for the season in his freshman stallion year.

Huamulan was well supported in betting, backed from $3 into $2.50 before jumping straight to the front and leading all the way.

“She’s a very nice filly with a big future,” stable foreman Jason Patrick said.

“On her work Tim just thought she’d win today but the wet track was a worry.

“It’s nice to know she can get through it.”

Huamulan ridden by Jay Ford defeated King Thing by just under a length with Leave Now another one and a quarter lengths away in third.

Jockey Jay Ford commented, “She only got through the ground so so and she’s not a natural leader so it was a good effort to win today. I think there is still plenty of upside to her”.

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27/05/2008 (Racing and Sports – Nathan Exelby) Tim Martin considers a Group 1 win can triple the value of a potential stallion and he is hoping his frustrating run of bad luck with classy colt Murtajill can end in this Saturday’s Doomben 10,000.

As the record priced weanling of his year (2005 Magic Millions National Sale $660,000), Murtajill (Rock Of Gibraltar-Skating, by At Talaq) has always been a colt with a high profile and after his outstanding debut win in the Breeders' Plate, major studs have been circling for his services.

His family is also one of the hottest in Australia right now, with a three-quarter brother (by Exceed And Excel) making $1.2million at Easter last year and the last two yearlings from his half-sister Skates making $800,000 (c by Fusaichi Pegasus) and $1.7million respectively (c by Encosta De Lago) at the Inglis Easter showpiece.

But despite showing enormous potential, the Rock Of Gibraltar colt is yet to crack it for a Group 1 win, although Martin believes this is more through ill fortune than any lack of ability on Murtajill’s part.

“There’s no doubting that he’s a Group 1 horse and he deserves to win a Group 1,” he said.

“The barrier beat him in the Slipper (when 4th to Forensics last year) and in fact he’s drawn badly in every Group 1 race he’s contested, except where he drew barrier one in the (AJC) Sires and the fence was off.”

Luck has finally gone the way of Martin and Murtajill’s high profile owner Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa al Maktoum, with the grey colt coming up with the four gate in Saturday’s 1350m feature.

Murtajill arrives in peak form, having run second to multi millionaire Racing To Win in the G1 All Aged Stakes at his most recent outing.

“I’m quietly confident about his chances – I certainly can’t fault the horse at the moment,” Martin said.

Murtajill has two more chances to win a Group 1 race as a three-year-old, with next month’s Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) also on his winter radar.

“Winning a Group 1 race makes a hell of a difference to what a horse is worth – it can triple their value,” Martin said.

“Breeders like to send their mare to a stallion that has won a Group 1 race.”

If Murtajill does crack it for a major in Brisbane, there is every likelihood he will be retired to stud at the conclusion of this season, but Martin would love to see him race on as an older horse.

“I think he could definitely win a big race as a four-year-old,” he said.

Martin has already proven he can guide a young horse towards a successful stallion career, with his former dual Group 1 winner Exceed And Excel set to be crowned Australia’s Champion First Season Sire this year.

“I don’t like comparing horses, but there’s no reason Murtajill won’t make into a good stallion either,” he said.

“He’s got good tactical speed, a great pedigree and he’s the type of horse that seems to work so well here in Australia.”

Murtajill’s sire Rock Of Gibraltar is the leading sire of individual stakes winners for second season stallions this year, but the Coolmore stallion is still seeking his first Australian Group 1 victory.

His dam Skating won the 1993 Doncaster Handicap, in addition to the race that is now known as the Coolmore Classic at Group 1 level and is also the dam of Magic Millions winner Bradbury’s Luck (Redoute’s Choice) – now a popular stallion at Queensland’s Glenlogan Park Stud.

Skating is also the dam of Skates (Danehill), who in turn is the dam of this season’s G1 Robert Sangster Stakes winner Juste Momente (Giant’s Causeway).

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27/05/2008: The Tim Martin Stable had a successful day at Scone Cup Day on Friday with a second from Carpe Jugulum in the 1100m Maiden and a win from homebred mare Teasing in the $100,000 Casino Prince Handicap.

Teasing began slowly from her barrier 1, but raced well and was ridden a treat by jockey Corey Brown, to clear away in the last 100m to win by a length in front of Our Liam.

The Scone race day is the richest in Country Racing in NSW and Teasing’s win gathered her another $65,000 in prizemoney, taking her tally to over $169,000, not bad for a homebred mare owned by Tim Martin Bloodstock and The King’s and Borthwicks from Tim’s hometown of Walcha.

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19/05/2008: Little Hussonet filly Del Lirio showed her true guts and determination on Saturday at Rosehill in the Rating 81 1200m Handicap for 3yo Fillies with a courageous second place behind the favourite Royal Rock.

Del Lirio had a starting price of $27 and started from the outside barrier. She jumped well to go forward and lead and kicked on in the straight to fly home and only just get pipped at the post by Royal Rock to be beaten by a Half Head.

Del Lirio is owned by WA businessman Michael MacDermott and wife Jill, and from only 5 starts has had two city wins and a second and accumulated just under $67,000.

Stormhill had a gallant run in the Group 1 Doomben Cup in Brisbane, finishing 5th in a field of 16. He will now go on to race in the Brisbane Cup on the July Long Weekend, with the Group 2 PJ O’Shea Stakes on the 31st in between.

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14/05/2008: The Martin Racing Stables will be represented by two forces in Brisbane at Stakes level on Saturday, with Stable stalwart Stormhill running in the Group 1 Doomben Cup and 2 year old colt Jealous Guy in the Group 2 XXXX Gold Champagne Classic over 1200m.

Stormhill had a great run in the Group 2 Hollaindale Cup at the Gold Coast last start and the extra distance will suit him perfectly.

Jealous Guy had a great win last start at Canterbury and will be very competitive in his race, his third start, and first at stakes level.

Murtajill also joined the team up in Brisbane at the start of the week, with his next start being the Group One Doomben 10,000 next weekend, and then heading toward the Group One Stradbroke on the July Long Weekend.

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08/05/2008: Jealous Guy demonstrated the talent that he did in his two trials, which he won both considerable well, at Canterbury yesterday in a two-year-old 1100m handicap.

This was Jealous Guy’s second start. His first start was at Canterbury on April 23rd on a wet track, which hindered his performance considerably, finishing in 6th position.

He jumped well from barrier 3 and sat nicely in 3rd-4th position most of the way around. He made his dash for the finish a furlong out, holding on from Punters Corner to finish a close first (head).

Jealous Guy will now head to Brisbane to compete in the QLD Winter Carnival, having been nominated for the Group One TJ Smith, on the Queens Birthday long weekend.

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06/05/2008: The wrap-up from the weekend included a gallant second placing from Murtajill in the Group One All Aged Stakes behind Racing To Win and a third placing by Stormhill at the Gold Coast in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes.

Murtajill impressed spectators with a very impressive run into second place from the outside barrier at Randwick on Saturday in the Group One All Aged Stakes. It was the three-year-old Colt’s third start this campaign and he has so far not been out of the placings in three starts. Including, 3rd in the Strada Stakes, a very close 2nd in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes and 2nd again behind champion Racing To Win.

Glyn Schofield took the ride on Murtajill and rode the horse a treat. Glyn commented after the race “He turned in a great run today. When Racing To Win went past him he really dug deep and tried his heart out”.

Murtajill heads up to Brisbane tonight, with the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 and the Group 1 Stradbroke in his sights.

Stormhill is already up in Brisbane representing the stable and ran an impressive race in the Group 2 Hollindale over 1800m on Saturday at the Gold Coast.

Stormhill will run in the Group One Doomben Cup next Saturday over 2020m, with the extra distance suiting him.

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02/05/2008: (Sydney Morning Herald) ROSEHILL trainer Tim Martin is out to turn giant-killer this weekend with star attractions Racing To Win and Casino Prince on the radar in Saturday’s group 1 All-Aged Stakes at Randwick.

Martin will start valuable colt Murtajill in the All-Aged, after scratching the three-year-old from the South Pacific Classic at the track midweek, and warned on Thursday not to underestimate his charge despite an enforced jockey change.

“The owner [Sheik Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum] wanted to scratch from Wednesday's race. Group 1 races are what he is after,” Martin revealed.

"I hope the decision proves lucrative. I thought it was an absolute gift race for us on Wednesday. It would have just been a matter of going around, but he is not out of his depth in the All-Aged."

South African Glyn Schofield takes over the Murtajill mount from Hugh Bowman, who was aboard in a last-start second to Serious Speed in the Hobartville Stakes.

Bowman sticks with Racing To Win in the All-Aged despite copping a spray from its trainer John O’Shea after steering Reigning To Win into second behind Apache Cat in last week’s T J Smith Stakes.

“Racing To Win has the form on the board with a second to Weekend Hussler in the George Ryder last time out,” Bowman said, adding he was not dwelling on the Reigning To Win defeat or a careless riding suspension incurred at Randwick on AJC Australian Oaks day that will put him out of action from May 8 to May 23. "I’m confident that Racing To Win can return to winning form in the All-Aged but in saying that, Casino Prince is racing as good as ever and Murtajill is certainly no slouch."

Casino Prince is coming off a third in the Ryder and an unlucky second to Triple Honour in the Doncaster, but trainer Anthony Cummings is expecting a bold run.

“It is always a task running three weeks in a row but he is there, doing well, he shapes up like he'll do the same again,” he said. "Racing To Win is plainly the hardest to beat. We followed him in the George Ryder but in that race we were always going to give him a start."

Martin said punters should not be surprised to see Murtajill lead as Schofield’s options are limited from the outside gate. “He has drawn terribly but is a go-forward horse in a race that looks to lack any real speed,” he said. "He did race up on the speed in the Golden Slipper last year and they ran along in that. He is much fitter for his two runs back from a spell, too.

"Obviously, horses like Racing To Win and Casino Prince are seasoned stars, but while Murtajill didn’t win in his spring preparation he performed well against older horses in the Rupert Clarke.

We’ll have to be at the top of our game to beat the two good horses but it certainly wouldn’t be a shock to me if we did."

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01/05/2008: (Wagga) He was bought for a song as a yearling, he was big and gangly and no one wanted him until he won his first race but now, after only eight starts, Any Humour is on his way to developing into a top class stayer and is second favourite for tomorrow’s Listed $120,000 Sheps Earthmoving Repairs Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) .

After tomorrow Any Humour’s trainer Tim Martin plans to take the horse to Brisbane with the Brisbane Cup his ultimate mission and the trainer believes the best is yet ahead for the son of Danewin.

Martin had no success syndicating Any Humour until he won his maiden at Wyong as a late three-year-old.

Martin was then able to convince a friend, Michael Cook, to buy the horse and it has already turned out to be a profitable decision.

Any Humour has since won two city races, one each at Rosehill and Canterbury.

He disappointed at his last start when 11th behind Nuclear Sky in the Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) on a heavy track at Rosehill after starting second favourite.

However Corey Brown told stewards the horse has not handled the conditions.

Tomorrow he will find a track much more to his liking with a dead four rating at this stage and fine weather.

Brown, who has ridden Any Humour at his last two starts, has a big opinion of the horse and has retained the cup ride.

Martin always believed that Any Humour had the ability and breeding to develop into a good stayer.

“He was big and gangly and nothing to look at,” Martin said.

“I tried to sell the horse to clients after I bought him but no one was interested so I decided to keep him myself and press on.

“This is an above average horse.

“He took a long time to grow into himself, as staying bred horses often do, but he has matured now and is going to win some good races.”

Grand old campaigner and Wagga Cup top weight Grand Zulu also failed to handle the conditions of the Neville Sellwood when last in that race.

Prior to that he was beaten less than three lengths on a good track in the Kembla Grange Cup, at only his second run back from a spell.

Grand Zulu, to be ridden by Hugh Bowman, is one of two runners for trainer Gwenda Markwell.

She will also start Australia Day cup winner El Meroo (Larry Cassidy) which is on the third line of betting in early markets.

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17/04/2008: Red Ransom gelding, Live Life has made it two starts for two wins after winning at Randwick on the Kensington track yesterday in the Tooheys New Royal Randwick Carnival over 1400m.

Live Life jumped well and went to the front of the field. He cruised along with the leaders and then faulted a bit in the straight, then kicked away to clear away from the rest in the last furlong, winning by one and three quarter lengths.

Congratulations to his winning connections on Hong Kong, Mr MC Tam.

Live Life will now start in the Listed Carbine Club Stakes on Derby Day, 26th April at Randwick.

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10/04/2008: ANY HUMOUR was victorious again, in a step up in distance over 1900m at Canterbury on Wednesday leading throughout to score his second win in his last three outings.

The son of Danewin had previously been a four-length winner at Rosehill last month and is shaping as a bargain buy, with the gelding having already amassed $80,000 in earnings with the promise of more to come.

Any Humour was selected and purchased by Tim at the Inglis Classic Sale, like his Group 1 winning stablemate for $20,000 and is by Danewin out of Damasta.

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22/03/08 Typhoon Zed and jockey Tim Clark achieved Group I success on Easter Saturday when they captured the $350,000 Inglis Galaxy (1100m) at Royal Randwick.

The pair first joined together when a solid sixth behind superstar sprinter Weekend Hussler a month ago in the Oakleigh Plate and Martin stuck with the combination going into Saturday’s feature event. The decision definitely paid off.

Clark hunted the Zeditave gelding across from a wide draw after jumping then settled comfortably behind Gamble Me and Keen Commander.

Coming into the straight Typhoon Zed came around the heels of the leading duo and from the 200m he forged away with Keen Commander to fight out the finish.

A moderate early tempo helped that pair hold off any late challenges and in a bobbing finish it was Typhoon Zed who stuck his head out at the right time.

The official margin was a half head with a further head to Fritz’s Princess in third place. Race favourite and one of the very few horses able to get close to Weekend Hussler, Magnus, finished a half length away in fourth.

“Winning a Group I is something I have always dreamed of ... it’s awesome,” Clark said.

The overall time was 1.04.12 with the last 600m run in 35.87. Despite having solid form around some of Australia’s best sprinters in recent months, Typhoon Zed was sent out at the generous odds of $12.30 with NSWTAB.

“The horse has earned it. He has been very unlucky in Melbourne in a couple of runs. I brought him back and he hasn’t put a foot wrong. I stuck with Timmy (Clark), he did a good job in Melbourne and
I couldn’t be happier,” Martin said.

“We thought we would roll forward, hopefully Freedman’s horse (Gamble Me) and Keen Commander would cut each other up but they didn’t really do that, they weren’t going that quick.

“He is a horse who races best with his runs spaced so I’ll just give him another month between runs and find a race for him over the carnival.”

We send congratulations out to all the connections of Typhoon Zed. He has now accumulated more than $462,500 in prizemoney. The Ralph Johns Syndicate managed to score a double on Saturday with maiden Gelding Force and Effect winning at Newcastle as well.

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