The Launceston Cup card’s top race won’t feature Denise Martin, but Wednesday holds immense promise for her Star Thoroughbreds operation.
Prominent purple and white hoops will decorate prime chances in four fixtures encircling the $250,000 Group 3 Cup, Race 9 departing at 5.29pm.
Sanniya tops betting for the companion Group 3 Vamos Stakes (1400m) – 35 minutes before the Cup – coming behind Durazzo in Listed Hellova Street Stakes (1600m) and Mazzini tackling the $125,000 3YO Classic (1200m) sans Black Type.
Tasmanian handler Barry Campbell teams with Star Thoroughbreds to run Azonto in the last 1200m benchmark 64.
These runners compete fiercely for market supremacy, Sanniya and Mazzini odds-on, the former targeting five straight while the latter rebounds after his four-race spree ceased recently.
Needs Further’s three-year-old settled fourth at $1.16 during the $75,000 Magic Millions 3&4YO Classic (1200m) on the February 6 Tasmanian Derby bill, with Martin disclosing a subsequent finding.
“When Barry took him home that night the horse ate up, he was not unsound, he was well, but we had bloods taken on him on the Monday and his iron levels were a little bit down,” Martin said.
“He had whatever is the usual supplement that vets make sure horses for blood irregularities like that have and since that time he’s been really good.”
Mazzini, a $1.90 chance in the 3YO Classic, has drawn post two for rider Kelvin Sanderson.
Craig Newitt steers Martin’s other entrants, such as Sanniya, Stratosphere three-year-old filly boasting six wins in seven, quoted at $1.55 for 1400m debut.
“Craig is adamant that she will run 1400 metres,” Martin said.
Anticipation rises for Durazzo, Mazzini‘s senior sibling with seven-for-eight at Launceston, gunning to flip his close Listed Thomas Lyons Stakes beating by Steparty on February 8.
“He seems to enjoy Mowbray even more than Hobart and he loves 1600, so I think the owners are very keen for another contest with Steparty to see if he can turn it around.”
Hellova Street Stakes shrinks to six starters, Durazzo in the alley outside and Steparty barrier four.
Visit leading betting sites to place your wager on the Launceston Cup.
