Racing
Stellar season full of Stars
A brilliant 2024/25 season for Star Thoroughbreds seems likely to continue right through to the end.
Already with more than 20 Tasmanian winners in the current season, the famous purple and white Star Thoroughbreds silks were responsible for three of the nine trial winners in Devonport on Tuesday morning.
Earendel, Mazzini, and Azonto all saluted the judge first on Tuesday. If all goes to plan, they will be part of a big team that Star will have at the next Devonport meeting on 29 June.
"If I can make it work following the Tatts Tiara meeting (in Brisbane) on Saturday, I'll be down there as we'll have those three along with possibly Simply Deep and some other runners of Barry's (Campbell)," said Principal of Star Thoroughbreds, Denise Martin.
A seven-win campaign that included victories in the Carpet Charge and Listed Hellova Street Stakes has Durazzo firmly positioned in the running for Ladbrokes Horse of the Year, and the upcoming debut of his little brother is filled with great expectation.
Mazzini (Needs Further X Arenzano) has won all three of his trials in impressive fashion, including an emphatic victory over debut winner Onlyforaminute in Devonport on Tuesday.
Despite going through the ring at the 2024 Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale before his full-brother Durazzo scaled the great heights he has this season, Denise Martin had to fight hard to secure the purchase.
"I received a call from the team who were at the sales that year, who said you must buy this horse," Denise said.
"I initially suggested we would go to $80,000, but there were two other very astute buyers at the sale who wanted the horse as well.
"When we went to $145,000, I thought 'you better be good' but we've been so impressed with what we've seen so far."
Denise was active at the Tasmanian Magic Millions Sales again this year, continuing to invest in the Tasmanian industry as she has for multiple decades.
"It's very early days, but things are seemingly going well with the two we purchased this year. They're both named, the colt is called Ramiro and the filly is Alkira," said Denise of the $80,000 and $70,000 purchases.
A born and bred Tasmanian, based in Sydney, Denise races her horses all over the country, but always focuses on having a presence in her home state.
"We usually have between six and 10 horses racing in Tassie, and it's important because I know the state can produce quality horses."
Star Thoroughbreds Tasmanian winners this season have included Durazzo (7), Carneros (3), Earendel (3), Sanniya (2 – Magic Millions Classic and Gold Sovereign), Azonto (2) and Simply Deep (2).
"We're having a wonderful run in Tassie at the moment, but I'm realistic enough to know it can turn at any time, that's just how the Ferris Wheel runs."
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