By MICHAEL GUERIN
Derek Balle hopes his perfect record in Australia can survive at least another month.
The Pukekohe horseman drove a faultless race to get trotting filly Martina H home in the $A25,000 Holmfield at Moonee Valley on Saturday night.
It was only Balle's third drive in Australia and his third win while it was also his first training success across the Tasman.
"That is not a bad race to start your training record with over here," said Balle from Melbourne.
"I actually had two drives over here when I was a junior and won them both too so I'm now three from three."
That perfect record was matched by a perfect drive on Saturday night as Balle steered Martina H into the one-one and then timed their surge to perfection, getting up by a short half-head to down fellow New Zealand trotter Supreme Pat and latest Victoria star Adella's Dash in a sharp 1:59.2.
But while Balle's on-track performance was impressive his real achievement was turning around Martina H's fortunes after some substandard form earlier in her Victoria campaign.
She had finished second and third in her two previous outings this campaign for caretaker trainer Shane Hayes but Balle flew to Melbourne last week to put the finishing touches on the filly himself during the week.
"She had a cold and just wasn't herself but a couple of days off helped her and she felt much more like her old self.
"The fast pace suited her because she is more of a stayer than a sprinter so I am now looking forward to the Derby with her."
Martina H was allowed to pay a staggering $32.10 on the Victorian tote but returned only $8.10 here. Even allowing for her Australian form she was well over the odds for a filly who ran second to the sensational Dependable in the Rosso Antico Stakes in March.
Balle, who trains Martina H in partnership with Ian Small, will return to Melbourne to drive Martina H in a heat of the Victoria Derby on July 19 before the $A50,000 Derby on July 29.
Victory in the Derby would be enough to win her Australian Three-Year-Old Trotter of the Year while Saturday's win has assured her of being New Zealand Filly of the Year.
Those honours along with her 1:59.2 time have guaranteed her a lucrative broodmare career, one which could get another bigger boost on Friday.
Martina H's little brother Tony H will be favourite for the Pyne Gould Guiness Sales Series Trot at Alexandra Park after his come-from-last performance for third in a far stronger race won in national record time by Jo Anne last Friday.
"Tony H is peaking at the right time and with some luck he can add the Sales Series to his Sires Stakes win which would make for a great season for Sound Of Chiola, who is the dam of both him and Martina H."
But while he is looking forward to returning to Australia, Balle admits Martina H will have her hooves full trying to add the Derby to her Holmfield victory.
"These are the best crop of three-year-old trotters I have ever seen and it won't be easy to beat them again because the Derby will be a top field."
Racing: Martina H stuns Aussies
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