Durazzo Looks All Conquering at Launceston

Breaking through for his first stakes victory last start in the Listed Newmarket Handicap (1400m) at Launceston, the Barry Campbell-trained Durazzo (Needs Further-Arenzano, by Not A Single Doubt) should appreciate the further step up in trip when he contests Wednesday night's Listed Conquering Stakes. Raced by Denise Martin's Star Thoroughbreds after being secured for $97,500 from the Magic Millions Tasmanian yearling sale from the draft of Armidale Stud, the 5YO gelding has amassed over $420,000 in earnings from his nine wins and two second placed efforts from 13 starts and if he can prove successful on Wednesday, he will go agonisingly close to breaking through the half million mark. With six wins from seven starts at the trip and with two efforts over 1400m for a win and a second, everything looks set for the gelding to take the win with Kevin Sanderson in the saddle. With five of the other 11 runners having all come through the Newmarket Handicap last start behind Durazzo, the conditions of the race sees the second and third horses who carried considerably less, rise significantly to 59kg, the weight Durazzo carried when winning. Clearly not the same horse he was at three when winning at Gr2 level, the Bevan Laming-trained Bank Maur (Maurice-Banksia, by Redoute's Choice) is extremely well travelled and with starts in Victoria, Queensland and NSW in his last five, we can now add Tasmania to the list as the 6YO gelding looks to have a solid chance of producing a forward showing with Craig Newitt in the saddle.

Durazzo might be the best racehorse in Tasmania (pic: tasracing.com.au)