CLASSIC winning jockey Andre Martin, who was in Trinidad and Tobago riding mainly for trainer Anthony Nunes, said that it was a great experience riding at the Santa Rosa racetrack. Although things didn’t go “as planned”, he was happy for the exposure.

“The experience was a good one. I learnt a lot which has made me a better jockey. I met different people, I went to numerous places, I did different things, so the experience was great,” Martin told the Complete Racing Guide.

“The riding part didn’t go as I planned. I am yet to win a race there from many rides. I won on Tactician but they disqualified me. I finished second and third quite a few times but as yet, no winners. It wasn’t a smooth road but a good one nevertheless,” the 2014 1,000 Guineas winner said.

Martin also shared his views on riding on the turf for the first time in his career.

“The turf was not all that good but the experience riding on the surface was good. It is important to do things for the first time, and riding on the turf was good as I had to adapt to a different racing surface and that’s good for my career.

“What I can tell you is that Jamaica has a better surface and the track is much bigger as well. However, the professionalism over there (Trinidad) is very high and the professionals in the sport are a lot more respected than here. The guys over there show each other more respect than what we fellow Jamaicans show ourselves,” explained Martin.

Martin said that he plans to return to the Santa Rosa racetrack. “I will definitely go back there. I don’t know when, but I will go there soon.”

— Ruddy Allen