Fabio Martino will make his first trip to Gundagai on Sunday, with the Hawkesbury trainer set to start two chances on the seven-race program.
Recent edition State Of Light and accomplished sprinter Eliseo will represent the stable, and Martino will give four-kilogram claiming apprentice Zoe Hunt two rides and her first chance to compete at Gundagai.
“Zoe was my apprentice when I worked for Chris Waller, and she started to ride there two to three years ago,” Martino said.
“I thought I’d put her on; I understand when starting, it’s a struggle because I struggled too, and the way I see it, I would rather help someone starting out.
“Plus, she is claiming four kilos for a reason, and I’ll let her find her way and find her style and improve day-by-day, and one day when she is on top and winning races everywhere, I’ll be able to say I gave her a go and that she is my friend.”
The 30-year-old is only relatively new to the training ranks, having kicked off his enterprise earlier last year.
He was soon a winner, with Eliseo (James Innes Jnr) his first triumph in the 1000m Benchmark 60 Handicap at Canberra in late November, while at Hawkesbury on Thursday, he brought up his second victory, with Mr Papera (Alysha Collett) breaking through in the 1500m Maiden Handicap.
“It seems like every winner has taken a while to come, and each time I was getting closer, closer, closer and bang, I got that winner,” Martino said.
“Eliseo ran so many seconds and thirds until I was lucky enough for him to win at Canberra, and it’s the same with M Papera; he kept running good races, and he was able to win at Hawkesbury today (Thursday).”
“Still, it’s not all about winning, and you can’t win every race, but I’m happy if my horses are happy and trying their best; that’s all I can ask for.”
The Italian Stallion, who’s quickly built up his team in Hawkesbury, has a good grounding in the industry, having worked with some of the state’s leading trainers.
Moving from Italy, Martino arrived in Australia in 2014, and he worked for the likes of Michael Freedman, Paul Messara, and David Payne before settling with Chris Waller.
“I was with Chris for about four years, and I went to work for him for a reason because I wanted to work for and learn from the best,” Martino said.
“I have always wanted to be a trainer since day one landing in Australia, and Chris knew my plans, and he gave me that chance at Warwick Farm.
“They taught me a lot, and as soon as I got my residency, I thought it was time to go out by myself.”
Martino explained that a quieter lifestyle and still being close to the city is why he opted to set up shop at Hawkesbury.
“It’s not the city, but it’s close enough to the real game,” Martino said.
“It’s quiet here and nice and relaxed, and it was the perfect place to set up.”
Heading to Gundagai on Sunday, Martino hopes to add another winner to his resume.
State Of Light (gate 11) is a former Michael Freedman-trained galloper, and the three-year-old is having his first run for the Hawkesbury stable in the 1180m Maiden Handicap,
“He is not up to Michael’s level, and I’m a provincial trainer that will go to those other tracks, so the goal is to try and make some money back for the owners by racing at some of those country tracks,” Martino said.
“It’s his first run for me, and I think he will run a good race, but from the draw, the reality is that he probably isn’t a winning chance.”
“Gundagai is a tricky track and very tight, and from barrier 11, you have to be a good horse to win.”
In the feature of the day, Eliseo (gate 6) contests the 1180m Benchmark 66 Handicap, and Martino is a lot more confident of his chances.
“The gate is suited to the horse and the track, and the four-kilo claim will make a difference, and I think he is a big chance,” Martino said.
Gundagai was a soft six at the time of publishing, with racing kicking off at 1.25 p.m.
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