Matins

William Haggas trains Matins at his Newmarket yard, one of the most successful operations in the country. Haggas has already sent out 170 winners this season, so this is a trainer who knows how to get horses ready. The fact that Matins has won twice in quick succession under his care — and remains active on the racing schedule — indicates the yard has spotted something worth pushing forward. A horse that wins its first two races is rare enough that racing people take notice. Most horses take time to learn their trade, pick up placings, maybe struggle at certain distances or track layouts. Matins has done none of that. It has simply turned up, raced twice, and won twice. The question now is whether it can sustain that form as the races get tougher and the opposition improves.