Tim Martin is not a regular visitor to Taree but has an impressive winning strike rate when he does head north and with three runners at the mid-north coast track on Thursday is the trainer to follow.
The six times Group I winning Martin's mojo has returned after struggling for a couple of seasons with four metropolitan winners since July 1 including King Darci at Randwick last Saturday.
Martin has taken 17 horses to Taree in recent years and with six returning to the winner's stall boasts a 35 per cent winning strike rate at the track.
Betting markets give punters a strong lead for runners from the Martin Stable with 32 runners starting favourite in races since August 1 2016 with 13 runners saluting at 40.62 per cent.
Martin's day begins with the first starter Pride Of Darci in the Taree Cup Weekend August 18 & 20 Maiden Plate (1319m) and the markets may have already spoken with the son of Darci Braham an odds-on chance in early betting.
Pride Of Darci has trialled on two occasions with his best effort coming in his first trial at Rosehill on June 26 when he worked home solidly to finish less than three-lengths from Addictive Nature.
Whether the early price reflects market support or bookies wariness of Martin's runner is hard to tell but if the money comes on race day it would be wise to follow.
Fast Arli will appreciate a drop in grade when the four-year-old mare lines up in the Adrian Owan Equine Veterinarian Benchmark 60 Handicap (1265m).
Fast Arli has been contesting city and provincial races in recent times but it is worth noting the last two times Martin has taken her to a country NSW track the mare has returned victorious.
Fast Arli won her maiden at Port Macquarie on October 7 2016 before an easy win a class two handicap at the same track two runs later.
Martin's remaining runner Orsippus will be chasing a maiden win in the Stacks Law Firm Maiden Handicap (1624m) after finishing out of the placings in his four runs to date but there is little doubt Thursday's assignment will be the weakest race Orsippus has encountered.
As with each of the Martin runners the betting will tell the tale, if the money comes punters can bet with confidence.
