Ashleigh and his Budd keen to make Victorian mark at Boort

Former West Australian trainer-driver Ashleigh Markham is hopeful veteran pacer Budd Sidewinder can give his new Victorian venture some early impetus at Boort on Sunday.

Budd Sidewinder will be Markham's third starter since relocating to Charlton when he lines up in the Cr Neil Beattie & Family VHRC Boort Pacing Pacing Cup.

Markham, his wife Tamara and their young family made the big move from Bunbury almost a month ago and are already enjoying life in the Central Victorian community.

And from a training point of view, Markham could not be happier with the move.

"The facilities are first class," he said.

_{Picture courtesy of Bianca Brehaut}

Markham said the horses had acclimatised well to the new surroundings.

He is particularly impressed by the 2000m straight track, which is a feature of the Charlton training centre.

"It's sensational. It's much like the beach at home. The horses are thriving on it."

Markham has six race horses in full work and another three building towards racing campaigns.

"Looking ahead, a team of 10 to 11 would be ideal."

Markham said his first three to the races in Victoria - Magic Matteo, Sammys Ideal and Budd Sidewinder - were always going to be his early flagbearers.

He said they had all been racing in the lead-up to the relocation and it was just going to be a matter of getting the work into them.

The Boort Cup is a much different assignment for Budd Sidewinder to what he has been facing in WA.

He is largely coming off the Busselton circuit, a series of summer meetings on a 600m track and all standing starts in which he started off back marks.

The eight-year-old, who has 18 wins in 135 starts, had a win and three minor placings before a luckless run in the Busselton Cup.

"I thought he was a chance, but we had a flat tyre."

Boort will also be Budd Sidewinder's first run in the care of Markham, having previously been trained by owner Michael Callegari - a close mate of Markham, who has driven the gelding for most of his career.

"He's got a sticky draw (in five), but if he can lob close enough he's a chance to be in the finish."

Markham believes Budd Sidewinder in particular will be suited by the racing options available in Victoria, having faced either tough backmarks or strong company at Gloucester Park in WA.

Markham said the pacer looked better suited to the racing available at Mildura and features such as the Boort Cup.

He said hopefully Budd Sidewinder, Magic Matte and Sammys Ideal could get some early wins on the board to get the stable in the spotlight and pave the way for the younger ones coming through.

Markham is well aware of the challenges that go with establishing a stable in a new state, but is well and truly up for it.

Among them is attracting Victorian owners and he is hoping to get things going in this direction with some purchases at the Nutrien Equine yearling sale in Melbourne next month.

The Boort Pacing Cup has attracted a capacity field of 11, including an emergency.

Last-start Albury Cup winner, the Russell Jack-trained One Two Many, is considered the one to beat.

The seven-race program also includes the $14,500 Boort Trotters Cup over 2612 metres.