HIGH-PRICED YOUNGSTER “STARS” FOR MARTINO

AS far as Fabio Martino is concerned, he’s a star in his own right.

Not the Hawkesbury trainer but his I Am Invincible three-year-old All Star, who fetched a cool $1.2m as a 2024 Inglis Australian Easter yearling, but failed to hit the scoreboard in three starts in town last year for Sydney’s all-conquering trainer Chris Waller.

Enter Martino’s major client Spartus Bloodstock.

“Spartus originally was one of the owners of All Star,” he explained today.

“When it was felt that the horse wasn’t going to make the grade in town, he was put on the market.

“Spartus decided to buy him back online in May last year to give me a chance to train him, and bought him for $60,000.

“My father Paolo, who is also a good supporter of my stable, joined Spartus to race the colt.

“It was a terrific thrill yesterday to get our first win for them with All Star.”

Ridden by Thursday’s successful Wagga Town Plate jockey Jean Van Overmeire, All Star ($7.50) broke through in the Super Maiden Handicap (1500m), picking up almost a $40,000 purse.

The colt was always up on the speed and gallantly defeated Titan Of Fury ($13) and Dawn Or Dusk ($4.20).

It was his 11^th start (eighth for Martino), and he had been placed four times prior to breaking through yesterday.

“All Star was narrowly beaten at Kembla Grange at his previous start in a Maiden Plate over the same distance,” Martino said.

“He has been racing consistently, and still isn’t fully matured.

“Whilst he is already a star for us, I’m sure there is further improvement to come.

“I will see how he comes through yesterday’s race before deciding whether to look for another suitable race, or give him a break.”

All Star was Martino’s sixth winner this season, and his career 15^th.

The Italian expat began took out his licence in April 2022, and trained his first winner (Eliseo, also raced by his father Paolo) at Canberra in November that year.

Martino says he keeps on average around 20 horses in work at Hawkesbury.

. Martino was one of four provincial trainers to score at Newcastle.

Wyong’s Kim Waugh landed the Maiden Plate (1250m) for fillies and mares with debutante National News ($1.50 favorite), Newcastle’s Paul Perry provided a long-priced upset when $31 bolter Rothrock took the Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1900m), and fellow Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle won the Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1250m) with $1.30 hotpot Just Response.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MAY 3, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS