Arezzo (Donavan Mansour) storms clear to win easily (Pic: Wayne Marks)
Justin Snaith grabbed the honours on a blustery Saturday afternoon at Durbanville as Kenilworth Racing hosted their first feature of spring. The progressive Go Deputy stayer Arezzo outgunned a rather modest bunch to register his second career victory, when he ran away from his opposition to win the R150 000 Listed Settlers Trophy.
The win gave recently relocated jockey Donavan Mansour the first leg of a double – and a pleasing follow up on his Fairview feature win on Friday with Chili Chocolate for Grant Paddock.
Mansour’s first winner was also the most impressive of the day – Joey Ramsden’s Warm White Night colt Hard Day’s Night chalked up an eyecatching post-maiden victory, and looks a 3yo that could well make his mark in the Cape summer.
The 2400m Settlers Trophy feature headed an eight race programme, that produced no real surprises and went largely according to plan.
Darryl Hodgson’s Australian-bred Parachute Man has found his best form over ground and he was installed favourite in the nine horse field after two consecutive wins.
Parachute Man was bustled to lead early and raced wide around the first bend. He was only passed into the home turn by Forte De Ouro, but plodded and failed to kick when it really mattered.
Justin Snaith – good double on the day
Vaughan Marshall’s Desert Swirl appeared to peck at the jump – this distraction ruined his chances and he may as well have stayed at home.
But things panned out well for the 4-1 Arezzo, who hit the front at the right moment about 300m from the line, and had plenty in hand to withstand a late rattle from A Time To Kill – who finished with enthusiasm to edge Friendly Tibbs into third.
The winning margin was 1,25 lengths and the time was recorded at 154,15 secs.
Arezzo is a R200 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1 graduate and chalked up gross stakes of R211 625 at his second win with 9 places from his 12 starts.
He has been a model of consistency and only failed to earn on his debut and shed his maiden at his sixth start – over the Durbanville mile. He was also placed in the Gr3 East Cape Derby.
The easy winner was bred by Lammerskraal Stud and is by Go Deputy out of the unraced Western Winter mare, Alula – an Equus champion family.
Arezzo’s fluent victory ensured that the Justin Snaith team shared the honours on the day with Mike Bass, who also saddled a double.
Things will brighten up dramatically next Saturday, with the running of the Matchem Stakes and Diana Stakes.
