Racing
Mazzini magnificent in the Ladbrokes Stakes
Mazzini further enhanced his reputation as an emerging superstar in Tasmanian racing, making light work of a quality Ladbrokes Stakes (1200m) field in Launceston on Friday night.
Backed as if unbeatable to start the $1.14 favourite, the 3yo gelding ran right up to the market support, spearing across from his wide gate early in the race to find the lead, and from there it was a matter of time and margins.
In the end, Mazzini had just under two lengths to spare over 2024 Newmarket winner Geegees Gemstone ($17), who finished second, with 2025 Listed Murray Bridge Cup winner, Cartoon Graveyard ($17), making good late ground for third.
Having won the Tasmanian Guineas over 1600m against his own age on 28 December, Mazzini showed he defies regular racing logic with this victory against older horses over 1200m less than a month later.
"He's just a really good horse," said Barry Campbell modestly.
"He'll go to the Magic Millions next and then the three-year-old race here on Cup Day. We'll stick to the plan."
With regular rider Kelvin Sanderson out of the saddle for another week, Craig Newitt had steering duties and was very impressed with what he saw.
"He's a proper horse. Kelvin has been saying it all along, and he gave me a really nice feel," Newitt said.
Mazzini has now won six of his seven career starts and is quickly building a record to match his older brother Durazzo, who has won 11 of 15.
Barry Campbell and the Star Thoroughbreds colours had a double on the night with Beneficiary ($1.26 fav) atoning for a luckless second placing at his most recent start to win a class 1 (1400m).
Adam Trinder also had a training double with wins for Vortistar ($4.80) and Magnaprime ($2.70 fav), who made it two on the bounce with an impressive victory in BM76 (1400m) company.
Codi Jordan took riding honours with front-running victories aboard Go Jeanie ($2.70) and Zurich ($10).
Slow lead tempos were a theme for the eight-race card, and that was never more evident than in the 4yo Handicap (1100m) won by Go Jeanie, with the final 600m clocked in a very fast 32.91s.
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