Denise Martin stacks contenders around Launceston Cup action
While Denise Martin has no entry in the marquee contest of the Launceston Cup lineup, Wednesday promises to deliver a blockbuster performance for Star Thoroughbreds.
Martin's iconic purple and white colours grace the frontrunners in four events bookending the $250,000 Group 3 Cup, Race 9 timed for 5.29pm.
Sanniya emerges as the clear market leader in the alternative Group 3 race, the Vamos Stakes (1400m), contested 35 minutes ahead of the Cup, succeeding Durazzo in the Listed Hellova Street Stakes (1600m) and Mazzini in the $125,000 3YO Classic (1200m), lacking Black Type.
Additionally, Star Thoroughbreds and local trainer Barry Campbell enter Azonto in the finale, a 1200m benchmark 64.
The quartet vies intensely for favouritism, Sanniya and Mazzini installed as odds-on, as Sanniya eyes a fifth straight success whereas Mazzini aims to rebound from snapping his four-timer last outing.
The Needs Further three-year-old colt placed fourth paying $1.16 in the $75,000 Magic Millions 3&4YO Classic (1200m) at the Tasmanian Derby card on February 6, but Martin revealed a post-race insight.
"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."
Priced at $1.90 in the 3YO Classic, Mazzini secures barrier two under Kelvin Sanderson.
Craig Newitt partners the other three for Martin, with six-from-seven winner Sanniya, a Stratosphere filly, at $1.55 for her debut at 1400m.
"Craig is adamant that she will run 1400 metres," Martin said.
Excitement builds for Durazzo, older brother to Mazzini, revisiting Launceston with seven triumphs from eight goes, intent on overturning his slim margin loss to Steparty in the Listed Thomas Lyons Stakes 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."
The Hellova Street Stakes features just six combatants, Durazzo from the widest draw and Steparty gate four.
Check the online bookmakers offering top odds for the Launceston Cup.
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