Tambourine Man rolls back the years for Martin clan

By Jordan Gerrans

Veteran stayer Tambourine Man rolled back the years at the Gold Coast on Saturday, delivering a special win for three generations of the Brisbane-based Martin family.

Tambourine Man, racing as an eight-year-old, showed he still had some fight in his old legs as he scored for the first time since July of 2024.

The win was also trainer Kevin Martin’s first since July of 2024, which came with fellow veteran galloper Intrecciato.

Tambourine Man is raced in partnership with trainer Kevin, his 83-year-old father Arthur and his son Caleb.

Octogenarian Arthur previously held a trainer’s licence with success in Queensland and still helps his son around his Brisbane stables.

The timely triumph put a smile on Arthur’s face after he has battled ill health in recent times.

“He hasn't been too well lately, he's got a few health issues, but he still gives me a hand,” Kevin said.

“It has made him very happy.

“Dad had a licence; he started in the stables in the late 1950s. He worked in the stables for a few years and then moved on and did something else before coming back to it.

“He had a lot of old friends, a lot of them are gone now, but he still has a lot of old friends in racing.”

Arthur last took a runner to the races in August of 2007 when he was still training, with a victory eluding him in his later years in the training ranks.

In a thrilling finish, Tambourine Man survived a tight photo decision with local galloper He's A Saint to nab the Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1800 metres on Saturday.

Hoop Karl Zechner lifted the Martin-prepared and owned galloper to victory.

It was Tambourine Man’s first win in 20 starts for the Martin stable, having previously been prepared by Chris Meagher.

A son of Medaglia D'Oro, Tambourine Man won three times for Meagher.

The Gold Coast track was rated a Good 4 on Saturday, which Kevin says was key to Tambourine Man’s well-deserved win.

“Last preparation, he just kept getting tracks that didn’t suit him, but anyway he raced well,” Kevin said.

“He raced well first-up actually at the Gold Coast late last month, but it was just too short for him, I thought.

“He likes the firmer tracks. He's happy and healthy at the moment. We will keep him racing.

“He's been a bit disappointing, but as I said with all the tracks and everything like that, it's been a bit hard because he's an old horse and he won't stretch out on the shifty tracks, wet tracks.

“But, he's enjoying himself, he's happy and enjoys his work. 

"He's pulled up well from the run and we'll try and find another one. Hopefully the dry continues.

“I know a lot of people don't want it, but he does. He likes the firmer surface.”

The 56-year-old Kevin trains two horses out of Doomben, Tambourine Man and Intrecciato.

Intrecciato is also out to break a long winless run, but has put in some encouraging efforts of late.

The seven-year-old mare ran well at Ipswich earlier this month to finish third over 1350 metres.

“She was a bit unlucky,” Kevin said.

“She didn't have a lot of luck there in the middle stages of the straight, but finished off nicely.

“I think I'll see how she is. Intrecciato is very deep into her preparation, so we might get another run or might just give her a freshen up.

“It all depends on her, really. She tells me what she wants to do.

“Training out of Doomben, it's a great spot. You're out of the hustle and bustle. It's good for young horses there.”