A sluggish start and a wide trip punching the breeze did not stop Martin from returning to winning ways following a barren run of more than a year on Sunday.

A previous Group 3 winner of the Fortune Bowl (2000m) in 2013, the six-year-old son of Colombia last visited the winner’s circle on Singapore Airlines International Cup night last May when he won a Kranji Stakes A race over 1600m.

He was then tested with the big boys in marquee events like the Group 1 Panasonic Kranji Mile (1600m) and the Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) afterwards, but he fell well short of the mark.

Trainer Laurie Laxon did press on with Group outings for the Oscar Racing Stable-owned galloper and though the results were mixed, the old spark was certainly back at his last start when he steamed home for third in the mile race won by Born To Fly three weeks ago.

Renewed hopes could be entertained in the Laxon and Oscar camp for a change of fortunes on Sunday, even if the seven furlongs were a little sharp, but Martin, who can be slow out of the gates, was again guilty of another tardy getaway for new partner Mario Esposito.

But the Italian jockey allowed Martin to settle into his strides and was able to gradually improve around the 11-horse field from the 800m with El Milagro (Matthew Kellady) stacking up the speed upfront. Favourite Spanish Bay (Saifudin Ismail) who was right behind, was seen overracing the moment the pace dropped right off.

That slackened pace, however, suited Martin who continued to roll forward, five wide to swing for home the widest runner.

Spanish Bay tried to lift after coming across heels but seemed to be hitting a flat spot. Gold Rutile (Alan Munro) and especially Trudeau (Michael Rodd) then shaped up as the most likely candidates to fight out the finish when they came with a withering run down the middle, but Rodd, who was desperately trying to make his full book of rides count (no winners up till then), had not reckoned with Martin’s ($95) superior burst inside the last 200m.

Laxon's ward lashed home to score by half-a-length from Trudeau with Gold Rutile third another three-quarter length away. The winning time was 1min 22.39secs for the 1400m on the Short Course.

Laxon admitted he thought Martin would have his job cut out with so many things against him from the outset, but was pleasantly surprised with the final outcome.

“He missed the kick and came out five wide without cover, but he still won a good race,” said the Kiwi mentor. “I think he liked the sting out of the ground today.

“He was actually meant to run in a 1600m race on Friday but it was cancelled. We wanted to run him in an Open 2000m race next week and he had to get a run.

“That’s why we still ran him in this race today even if the 1400m was a bit short for him. It’s all worked out good in the end and he will now run in that 2000m race next week.”

Martin has now brought his record to seven wins from 36 starts for prizemoney in excess of $540,000 for the Oscar Racing Stable of Mr Phua Chian Kin.