Full Needs Further Brothers Deliver Star Stakes Double

Five-year-old Needs Further gelding Durazzo continued his domination of Tasmanian summer racing at Hobart on Sunday, securing his third straight stakes victory with a strong performance in the $125,000 Listed Kevin Sharkie The Inevitable Stakes (1600m) for Star Thoroughbreds.

The win adds further weight to the remarkable family story, with Durazzo and fellow rising star Mazzini both being full brothers by resident Armidale stallion Needs Further, and it puts welcome attention on their yearling half-sister heading to the 2026 Magic Millions Tasmania Sale.

Carrying the Star Thoroughbreds silks, the Barry Campbell-trained galloper, partnered again by regular rider Kelvin Sanderson, was composed throughout and sprinted clear to score by half a length over the ever-honest Just Cruisin’.

Powerful through the line, Durazzo has now built an imposing record of 11 wins and two placings from just 15 starts, with prizemoney nudging $580,000.

A $97,500 Magic Millions Tasmania purchase for Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency, Durazzo was bred by Armidale Stud and is the standout performer among three winners from winning Not A Single Doubt mare Arenzano, who hails from the family of Group 1-winning sire Super Seth.

Earlier in the program, Star Thoroughbreds enjoyed further stakes success with another rising star, Mazzini, the full brother to Durazzo. Trained by Barry Campbell and ridden by Kelvin Sanderson, Mazzini backed up his recent victory in the $75,000 BWS 3YO Trophy (1400m) with a dominant display to capture the $125,000 Listed Tasmanian Guineas (1600m).

Starting a short-priced favourite, he powered away to win by more than three lengths, taking his tally to five wins from six starts and pushing earnings past $219,000. The runner-up spot in the Guineas went to Crack The Shutters, bred and raced by Armidale and partners, who chased bravely behind the exciting winner.

A huge congratulations to all winning connections. All of us here at Armidale could not be happier with the results and we are incredibly proud to see our horses, our stallion and our partners enjoying such success.