A year ago, Tim Martin closed his Rosehill stables and all but disappeared from Sydney racetracks.

His marriage was over, so too his dream of having a training base in Sydney complemented by a farm for his horses on the city's outskirts.

The man who trained Exceed And Excel, Murtajill, Typhoon Zed and This Manshood found himself at a personal and professional crossroads.

Martin moved to Heritage Park, a property on the south-western outskirts of Sydney where he could train a small team while making a buck breaking-in and adjisting horses for others.

The rural lifestyle was a balm for the boy from Walcha who said the past 12 months were the most difficult of his life.

"I grew up on a farm and I always wanted to have a farm near Sydney and have a base where horses could be spelled and agisted and broken in, and have Rosehill," Martin said.

"That's what we were doing and unfortunately we came to a fork in the road.

"It is what it is, you've got to deal with it and get on with it.

"I honestly thank God for the horses, otherwise I don't know where I'd be. If I couldn't ride a horse or shoe a horse I'd be in trouble. It hasn't been easy."

One of the horses that has helped Martin keep a hand in the racing industry is Heavens Above.

The filly will contest the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday as she heads towards the ATC Australian Oaks.

She tackles the race as a maiden but has shown promise in her three runs including a last-start third to Vinery rival Slightly Sweet at Group Three level.

Saturday's race will be her sternest test and not even Martin can make a case for her to beat odds-on favourite First Seal.

But he is adamant Heavens Above stacks up to the rest.

"The favourite looks a moral to my eye. There are some other quality fillies in it and I think she's up to them but I don't think she can beat the favourite," he said.

"Each start she is improving. If she can run in the first four it will put value on her and I think there is a bit of scope for improvement to go into the Oaks."