FORMER Albury trainer Martin Stein had an itch that he just had to scratch.
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After retiring from training in 2005, the desire to return grew until he could no longer ignore it.
So when good mate and long-time associate Norm Loy decided to give up training and return to the saddle, Stein also decided to make a comeback.
He tasted instant success last month when the stable’s first runner, Viva La Star, won at Narrandera.
“My decision had a lot to do with Norm returning to the saddle,” Stein said.
“Norm had a lot of good owners when he was training and some of them have come on board to support the stable.
“I still owned stables on Racecourse Road so I thought why not?”
Stein had a good grounding before he gained his trainers licence in 2001.
He spent six months with Gary Moore in Sydney before taking up a position with the legendary Jack Denham, who he worked with for six years.
During his time with Denham he was strapper for Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate winner Might and Power.
He also strapped another of Denham’s great horses, Filante, who won an Epsom Handicap, Yalumba Stakes and other group races.
“One of my biggest highlights in racing was when Might And Power beat Dorieums by a nose in the Melbourne Cup (1997) while the lowlight would be when Filante lost by a nose to Saintly in the Cox Plate (1996).”
Stein had several highlights as a trainer, with Trust In Dreams breaking the track record at Albury over 1600m in 2002 which still stands. The horse also finished second at Flemington and won the Berrigan, Hay and Riverina cups.
After retiring from training, Stein worked at Rivalea at Corowa and has spent the past three years doing roadworks around Australia.
Leading Albury jockey, Simon Miller, rode his first winner when successful on the Stein-trained Highway To Heaven at Albury in 2003.
The stable will saddle up Areteare in the $10,000 Benchmark Hcp (1400m) at Albury today.
“His subsequent runs after finishing second when first-up at Albury have been a bit disappointing,” Stein said.
“But, hopefully, a return to his home track today will see a marked improvement.”
Stein is offering shares in an unraced youngster out of the mare Golden Snake.
Anyone interested can contact Stein on 0418 141 579 or mb.stein@hotmail.com.