Trainer and owner Alex Martyn is preparing to resume the racing campaign for Straight South, a son of Charge Forward, who will start in the Muswellbrook Ford Maiden (900m) at Scone on Monday. Despite a challenging career, with Straight South finishing last in half of his six previous starts, Martyn believes this preparation will be the horse’s strongest yet.

Straight South has faced significant health issues, having ingested large amounts of rope while stabled, an occurrence that nearly resulted in fatal colic. Veterinarians reportedly advised Martyn that the colt was fortunate to survive the condition. Martyn described how Straight South had been stripping fine threads from the rubber conveyor belt in his stable and consuming them over time. Fortunately, the horse passed the rope and subsequently recorded a career-best second placing at Wellington on Boxing Day.

Since then, Martyn has made adjustments to Straight South’s training and nutrition, resulting in improved workouts and a better physical appearance. His trial at Scone on June 10 demonstrated promise, although the horse faded late in the session. “He’s a different-looking horse now and his work is a lot better,” Martyn said. “Eloise Drews, who will ride him, and I have increased his work rate and changed his feed, and he seems to be going well.”

Straight South is one of only seven foals sired by Charge Forward during the stallion’s 15th season at stud. The gelding is also connected to a notable lineage; his dam, Gunnie Girl, is a descendant of Ingenue, the inaugural Sweet Embrace Stakes winner in 1979. Martyn also reported the pedigree involves the mare Chaste But Chased, the grandmother, who was trained by Kris Lees and from whom Gunnie Girl was foaled.

Martyn currently manages just three horses, two of which are set to run on Monday’s Scone card. Alongside Straight South, Nor Nor West will begin a new campaign. Martyn expressed cautious optimism about Nor Nor West continuing his earlier form from the summer season, where the horse narrowly missed a hat-trick of wins.

Although uncertain about both horses’ performances on a wet track, Martyn remains hopeful. He acknowledged the difficulty in deciding to spell Nor Nor West but believes the rest has been beneficial.

Nor Nor West boasts a notable breeding background, being inbred to prominent English champions Green Desert and Warning. Furthermore, his pedigree ties back to Australian bloodlines, as his fifth dam Supaburn is related to Everest winner Yes Yes Yes and multiple stakes winner In Her Time. The colt was also bred in partnership by racing figure RL (Bob) Charley.

Both Straight South and Nor Nor West will be among the contenders at Scone on Monday, representing Martyn’s focused stable as they aim to improve on past performances.