Daytona Diva launches from last to first at Elwick — a huge return from the Anders filly.

Daytona Diva made a brilliant return to racing at Elwick on Sunday, storming from last to first in her first run since finishing fifth in the Tasmanian Oaks.

The daughter of second‑season sire Anders was a $40,000 purchase from the 2024 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale, offered as part of the Armidale Stud draft.

Drawn wide, Daytona Diva was eased to the tail of the field by Jabez Johnstone before unleashing a powerful, sustained run in the home straight to score by 1.3 lengths under hands‑and‑heels riding.

Following her Oaks performance, trainer John Blacker sent the filly to the paddock, and despite resuming without a jumpout or trial, he told Tasracing she had thrived at home. Blacker believes she will comfortably stretch to a mile — and possibly further — noting her Listed Strutt Stakes win over 2020 metres. A short‑term trip to Melbourne is also under consideration.

Daytona Diva has now won five of her 10 starts, with placings in three others.

Her dam Step The Pedal (Elvstroem) has produced three winners: Them’s The Breaks (Needs Further) and Platinum Goddess (Alpine Eagle), a three‑time winner in New Zealand. Step The Pedal is currently in foal to Armidale Stud’s new stallion Bodyguard.

Daytona Diva also carries the strength of a deep and influential maternal line that ultimately traces back to one of the Australian Stud Book’s greatest blue‑hen mares, Eight Carat — dam of Octagonal, Mouawad, and Kaapstad. Eight Carat produced five stakes winners who collectively secured 28 stakes races, cementing her as one of the most important broodmares in Australasian breeding history.

Tasmanian Sires Prominent in Elwick Three‑Year‑Old Feature.

Tomorrow’s three‑year‑old event at Elwick showcases strong representation from Tasmanian-based sires.

The late Levendi is responsible for two runners — Tempt The Gods and The Little Bay — both graduates of the 2024 Magic Millions Tasmanian Sale and both remarkable value purchases at just $5,000 apiece.

Stratosphere, standing at Grenville Stud, also has two contenders engaged: last‑start winner Lawrenny Boys and the promising Zambezi Blonde.

Rounding out the local stallion presence is Motree Thoroughbreds’ Turffontein, represented by the filly Accusaient.

The race shapes as one of the highlights on a program that also features the Pink Cup, supporting the Tasmanian Racing Club’s fundraising efforts for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Racing begins at 12:15pm, with full coverage available on Tasracing Live. The rail is out 12 metres, and the track is currently rated a Soft 5.

Tasmanian Sires Shine with Multiple Winners at Hobart

Tasmanian-based stallions Stratosphere and Alpine Eagle each produced a winning double at Hobart on Sunday, while fellow local sire Zululand was also represented in the winners’ circle.

Grenville Stud’s Stratosphere enjoyed a successful afternoon with two impressive winners. Three-year-old gelding Lawrenny Boys broke through for a deserved maiden victory, while Zuni notched up the third win of his career with another strong performance.

Armidale Stud’s Alpine Eagle also celebrated a pair of winners. Three-year-old gelding Northern Child opened his account with a maiden success, while Light Force continued his good form, making it back-to-back victories.

Completing a standout day for Tasmania’s stallions was Grenville’s Zululand, whose progeny Zulu Fields added another win to the local sires’ tally.

Jenny Watson’s Breeding Eye on Show Through Swift Force.

The rise of exciting filly Swift Force is the latest reminder of the influence and horsemanship of Tasmanian breeder Jenny Watson, who operates under the Macleay Thoroughbreds banner. Watson, a Life Member of TasBreeders and one of the state’s most respected long‑serving contributors, bred the daughter of Magnus from the More Than Ready mare Fast And Ready.

Fast And Ready was later purchased by North‑East breeder Phillip Bingley, who now has another promising youngster from the mare — a filly by St Mark’s Basilica, currently a weanling. With St Mark’s Basilica emerging as one of the most exciting young sires in the region, the cross adds further depth to a family already gaining momentum through Swift Force’s racetrack performances.

For Watson, Swift Force is another example of the tough, competitive, well‑reared stock she has consistently produced over decades. Her success continues to shine a light on the quality emerging from Tasmania’s boutique breeding operations and the breeders who shape them.

STRATOSPHERE SIRES A TREBLE AT DEVONPORT.

Grenville Stud’s resident stallion Stratosphere enjoyed a standout Devonport Cup day, siring three winners: the Adam Trinder-trained duo Prince Of Khatun and Ozonica, along with the flying filly Sanniya. Both Ozonica and Sanniya are graduates of the Magic Millions 2024 Sale, further highlighting the stallion’s growing influence. Stratosphere will be strongly represented with 27 lots at this year’s Tasmanian Sale on February 23.

📸 Ozonica by Stratosphere wins on Devonport Cup Day. (Picture by Katri Strooband)

Arenzano Emerging as a Premier Producer Through Durazzo and Mazzini.

Arenzano (Not A Single Doubt–Marina Miss), a tough and talented mare who won eight of her 19 starts and finished fourth in the Listed Tasmanian Guineas, has rapidly established herself as a broodmare of real value thanks to the deeds of her sons Durazzo and the emerging three‑year‑old Mazzini.

Offered by Rob Dixon’s Reibey Lodge at the 2011 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale, Arenzano was secured for $60,000. She descends from the distinguished family of Group 1-winning sire Super Seth, adding further depth to her pedigree.

Now based at Armidale Stud in Carrick, Arenzano has produced seven foals to date. Five have raced, and three are already winners.

Her first foal, Emily (by Wordsmith), proved a consistent performer with four wins and five placings from 17 starts, earning $133,276.

Durazzo has been the headline act, compiling 10 wins—including three at Listed level—from just 14 starts and banking more than $490,000. His recent victory in the weight‑for‑age Conquering Stakes followed his success in the TTC Newmarket Handicap, with his third Listed triumph coming in the Hellova Street Stakes.

Mazzini, a $145,000 yearling, has quickly stamped himself as another rising star. He made it three wins from only four starts when leading throughout to claim the $75,000 Three‑Year‑Old Trophy at Mowbray.

Arenzano’s latest yearling, a filly by Doncaster Mile winner Brutal, will be offered by Armidale Stud as Lot 70 at the upcoming Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale. The sale will be held on Monday, February 23 at Quercus Park on the outskirts of Launceston.