Mondial Express: Craig Martin-trained gelding wins maiden handicap at Tamworth

Piloted by Ashley Morgan in race three, Mondial Express led all the way to beat the Stirling Osland-trained Wanda Beach (Ben Looker) by 2.3 lengths in the $24,000 Maiden Handicap.

The Stephen Jones-trained Swiss Scent (Matthew Palmer) was 2.65 lengths away in third place.

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It was Mondial Express's first win in 11 starts, and it came after he finished second to Flying Scotman at Tamworth on August 6 when he was run down on the straight.

On Sunday, he ran away from the field on the straight after starting from the four barrier carrying 55kg.

The win paid $10 (TAB fixed odds).

Martin said the 55kg and the "soft barrier" helped the horse.

"He wasn't far off a win, whether it was today or not," the trainer said.

Martin added that while Mondial Express "ran a nice race", he was concerned "they might come over the top of him".

He was considering testing the gelding at a mile, but may keep him at 1400m after Sunday's display and "see how he goes".

"It depends on the horse," he added.

Mondial Express has had six starts under Martin, having previously been trained at Taree by Michael Byers.

"It took a while to work him out a little bit," Martin said of the horse.

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