Sydney trainer Tim Martin is preparing for a super-charged Saturday with a smart trio from his stables ready to line-up at his home track at Rosehill while he also seeks his first elite level win in three years with Fibrillation lining up in the Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm.
Fibrillation (grey) will attempt to give trainer Tim Martin a Group 1 win in the Queensland Oaks on Saturday
Understandably, Martin hopes that if only one of his horses win tomorrow it will be Diatribe filly Fibrillation causing a boilover in the $400,000 Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m).
The last-start winning three-year-old showed her budding potential as a stayer with a narrow win over 1800m at Rosehill last start on May 21, Fibrillation one of the only runners in the Oaks having previously been tested at the 2400m distance.
During the autumn Fibrillation was in raging form, finishing second to Crown Oaks winner Brazilian Pulse in the Group 3 Keith F Nolan Classic (1800m) in March before her gallant second to Mirjulisa Lass in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) on Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill.
Also running a credible fourth to Absolutely in the Group 1 AJC Oaks (2400m) on April 16, Martin is now hopeful Fibrillation can use her nice barrier six draw in the Oaks to her advantage and get the better of her rivals on Saturday.
She is currently paying $11 in the Queensland Oaks odds, which are lead by wonder New Zealand filly Scarlett Lady at $3.50.
A win by Fibrillation in the Oaks will not only give Martin his first Group 1 win since Typhoon Zed won the 2008 Manikato Stakes, but will also be a huge credit to her ‘mediocre’ breeding.
Her father, Caulfield Cup winner Diatribe, was retired from his duties as a stallion in 2008 after his flair on the track failed to carry over to his career at stud.
There is little on her mother’s side either to impress the breeding buffs, Fibrillation’s dam Sudden Beat sold for just $500 by breeder-owner John Thompson.
“Before we knew Fibrillation had some ability I culled a lot of mares and sold Sudden Beat for $500,” Thompson said.
Her trainer said Fibrillation had travelled to Queensland without issue and was ready for the showdown on Saturday.
“She has travelled up to Brisbane in good order and I think her form is good enough to win,” Martin said.
Martin also has high hopes for the three runners he will saddle up at Rosehill.
First-up for Martin on his home track tomorrow is his progressive three-year-old Spot The Rock in the $70,000 ARA Wines Handicap (1500m), followed by the lightly-raced Night Fever in the $70,000 Alibi Bourbon Handicap (1200m) before finally Irish Love takes her spot in the $70,000 Woodford Reserve Handicap (1800m).
