Racing: Deane Martin on song for trainer

Deane Martin ridden by Sam Spratt. Photo / Sarah Ivey

New Zealand trainer Bruce Wallace has waited a long time to find another horse capable of winning an Australian group one but may have found it in the form of Deane Martin.

The five-year-old built on the promise of his third to He's Your Man in the Kingston Town Stakes to win yesterday's group three Colin Stephen Quality (2400m).

It has set him up for the quick back-up into next Saturday's group one Metropolitan (2400m), a race Wallace won in 1991 with Lord Revenir.

Wallace's most recent group one success in Sydney was 20 years ago with Kingston Bay in the Chipping Norton Stakes.

Brenton Avdulla had Deane Martin up on the pace and the gelding took the lead in the straight and held off Iggi Pop with Celtic Prince another half neck third.

"He had to win today to have a chance at the Metrop and he probably needs to win that to get into the Cups in Melbourne," Wallace's long-time foreman and part-owner of Deane Martin, Allan Peard, said.

"If he doesn't get in to the bigger races, there's always the Geelong Cup or the Ballarat Cup.

"But first he goes to the Metropolitan and we'll see where he's at."

Avdulla said he hoped to retain the ride for next week's Group One event.

"He went super. And he showed he's not just one-paced," Avdulla said. "It was a tactical race and he went to another gear when I asked him at the 300 (metres). I'm pretty sure I'll be riding him next week as long as he pulls up well."

Meanwhile a scintillating performance from Rock Sturdy to win the Shannon Stakes has confirmed an Epsom Handicap start for the four-year-old.

Trainer Joe Pride's original plan was for Rock Sturdy to make his way to the Epsom via last week's Bill Ritchie Handicap.

That was foiled by the comeback victory of group one winner Manawanui so Pride backed Rock Sturdy up in yesterday's Shannon and said he would have no qualms doing it again. "I liked what I saw and he handled the back-up today and I don't think he will have any trouble doing it again," Pride said.

"He is a big strong animal and is the type of horse that can handle it.

"Initially I was disappointed he got beaten last week but on reflection, it was Manawanui who beat him.

"He has only got 52 kilos in the Epsom and he's not going to get too many chances to run in a Group One race with that weight."

Singapore-based Corey Brown, who will again make the trip next weekend, produced Rock Sturdy, the $3.70 favourite, in the straight and made him work to stay in front.

Liberty's Choice and Ninth Legion were 1 lengths behind and could not be separated on the line.

They were separated in the stewards room with Liberty's Choice awarded outright second on protest.

Brown said he had learned from his first experience on Rock Sturdy in the Bill Ritchie.

"Last time he cruised when he was in front," Brown said.

"Today I made him sprint earlier than than last week and got him into top gear."

Last year's VRC Oaks winner Kirramosa was an eye-catching fifth as the New Zealand-bred mare continued her build-up to the Caulfield Cup.