Farewell but not goodbye as Martins’ racehorse Howsit retires

Galaxy Blaze, known around the the Martins; racing stables as Johnny, is sad.

The 10-year-old found the love of his life but four-year-old mare Howsit is going to the city to prove there’s more to life than just racing.

“Howsit is going to Perth for her forever home,” trainer Julia Martin said.

“She puts it in at home and does everything but on the track she’s just there for the run.

“Johnny is sad.

“She’s his girlfriend.”

Martin said Howsit would be going to an agistment property and may become a showjumper. Wiith her gentle nature, she would fit in at her new home, she said.

She said while it was sad to send a horse away for retirement, it was good to have the memory of providing a good home while they were with her.

Howsit won a maiden at the Dongara Races in 2021. Galaxy Blaze has nine career wins including a handicap in December 2021.

The Martins’ horse Corn Cob turned in a brilliant performance on Friday for his third win in six starts at the Geraldton Turf Club this season.

The paddock beckons and then possibly the city after the three-year-old won race four over 1413m with Natasha Faithfull in the saddle.

“Cobba’s going to go for a spell,” Martin said.

“We might bring him back at the end (of the local season) or we might take him to Perth.”

Faithfull had two wins on the day. She booted Eliminate to the win in race eight for John Reynolds.

Taj Dyson won on Mega Reward for trainer Ashley Maley in race one while Keshaw Dhurun on Surveillance won for Adrian Tiver in race two.

Kim Anderson’s Startrade won race three, with Dhurun aboard.

Andrew Castle won race six on Dashing Image for Gordon Spowart.

Perth-based Adam Durrant-trained Skipping Digits and Soviet Spy won races five and seven. Clint Johnston-Porter was aboard both times.