By MATT NICHOLLS
TAMWORTH trainer Alan Martin enjoyed the perfect birthday present at the Armidale Jockey Club on Monday as New Player handed him his first winner as a trainer.
The four-year-old mare produced an impressive turn of foot to storm down the outside and win the AJC Function Centre Maiden Handicap (1100m).
It was New Player’s first win in 11 starts, after she was previously bred to be a stockhorse.
“I bought her mother, Lavender Road, for just $300,” a smiling Martin said after the race.
“She was originally going to be a show horse.”
Martin races the mare with his wife Heather and his daughters Alana and Tara.
“It’s our first win,” he said. “We’ve run seconds, thirds, fourths and fifths.”
Given a perfect ride by claiming apprentice Vad Bolozhinskyi, New Player hit the line hard on an unusual day where swoopers had the advatange.
It was the first of a winning double for Bolozhinskyi, who also rode Shadow Show to victory in the Class 2 Plate for Texas trainer Ronald Morris.
Former Armidale apprentice Rachael Murray also rode a winning double, saluting twice aboard Bendemeer trainer Jane Clement’s runners.
Murray rode Wolfgangs Boy a treat to win the Benchmark 70 Handicap (1400m) before backing it up in the next race on Tara’s Gift in the Fillies and Mares Benchmark 55 Handicap (1100m).
Monday’s meeting was the last for 2013 for the Armidale Jockey Club.
Races will return on the Australia Day long weekend, Monday 27 January.
