Go Dragon is Martin’s only horse running currently and the six-year-old son of Group 1 winner Rock Of Gibraltar has a fascinating backstory.

“It had two barrier trials in Sydney, but they thought it was no good so they gave it to my grandson for polo,” Martin said.

“He wasn’t much good at that either, too slow for polo apparently.

“So I took him.”

By the time Go Dragon landed in Martin’s hands he was a five-year-old with just the two barrier trials to his name and no official race start.

Martin gave him his first start in Armidale in March last year, when he ran ninth out of 11 horses over 1300 metres.

After that most punters would have read the form and seen a five-year-old still on its maiden and a poor first hit out, but Martin wasn’t writing him off just yet.

“He was, still is just a baby in racing terms,” he said.

“He didn’t have his first race until he was five-and-a-half and the penny doesn’t drop quick with those type of horses.”

The results began to improve with placings coming on a frequent basis, but it took until his 13th start for Go Dragon to break through for his maiden win at Armidale in November last year.

He then ran a close third in his next start, followed by a win at Moree in December before being freshed for five weeks.

Martin returned him to the track on Monday, where Go Dragon took out the third race at Armidale’s Australia Day meeting, his third win in four starts.

In fact Go Dragon has only been unplaced twice in his past 12 starts.

Monday’s win was particularly impressive after he was stuck for a run until the final 150 metres, but still managed to power home to win by a head.

“He’s been going well for a long time,” Martin said.

“He’s only ever been passed once in the straight.”

Martin is planning a quick turnaround for Go Dragon, with plans to nominate for a 1700 metre race at next Tuesday’s Walcha Cup meeting.

“Walcha may not suit him, but we will wait and see,” Martin said.

“I want to start getting him over longer distances.”