Former French galloper Martinvast finally recorded his Australian debut win with a strong victory at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
A member of the powerful OTI Racing Group, managed by Terry Henderson and Simon O’Donnell, Martinvast was having his tenth start today since coming from France.
He won three of his only four starts in France and has been a disappointment in Australia.
Trainer, Gerald Ryan, explained after the horse’s late-charging win that the combination of the application of blinkers and a drying track had caused the turnaround in the horse’s form.
“I spoke with Terry (Henderson) on Tuesday night and he was gone if he didn’t do something on Wednesday. I’ll speak to Terry again now and maybe we’ll keep going,” he said.
“That was a good win, he’s fit and obviously appreciated the blinkers and the dry track. That may not be his last win after all,” Ryan said.
Winning rider Kerrin McEvoy said the horse always felt like he was going to win.
“He travelled well all the way and when I finally went for him he hadn’t spent a penny and was always going to win,” he said.
– TVN
