Milnerton trainer Bill Prestage is one of the respected older generation of veteran trainers who continue to hold their own and tick over the winners with a small string at his disposal.
He saddles the Western Winter 8yo Red Peril in a bid to register the double in the R150 000 Listed Settlers Trophy at Durbanville on Saturday.
Red Peril wins the Settlers in 2017 under Wesley Marwing (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
A dour out-and-out stayer, the Daytona-bred Red Peril was the subject of a particularly innovative ride at the unofficial opening of the ‘new Durbanville’ at the corresponding meeting last year, when after a sluggish start, he went round his field and caught them napping to register a 5,25 length win.
Red Peril needs a true test of stamina and he relished the tough gallop that he set that day. He hasn’t won since but has earned at three placed efforts and is an honest sort who doesn’t have a lot of race options on the programme.
Red Peril isn’t getting any younger and it is the Snaith’s progressive 4yo Magnificent Seven who could have his measure as he goes for a hat-trick of wins and his fifth win in six starts. The son of Horse Chestnut tries the 2400m for the first time but should have no difficulty in seeing it out on the manner of his recent 2000m victories. His unraced dam is a full-sister to Model Man Gr1 performer Pratique and he relaxes smartly and can turn it on when required.
Candice Bass-Robinson has three in the field
The Cape Winter Derby third placer Ballad Of The Sea, one of a trio of runners from the Candice Bass-Robinson yard, returns after an 11 week break and goes straight in boxing, without the benefit of a pipe-opener. The son of Teofilo is lightly raced and has shown ability at 2500m, although only a maiden winner. He can assert at his first start as a 4yo but may lack for genuine race fitness and may have bigger fish to fry.
His stablemate Benjan was beaten 1,25 lengths by Magnificent Seven last time and now meets the Snaith galloper on 1,5kgs better terms over the extra 400m. The son of Fort Wood has not won in ages but did finish third in this event last year behind Red Peril and is a nominal half kilo better off this time round.
Riaan van Reenen – Woodland’s Forest looks outgunned
The one-time winner Woodland’s Forest from the Burger-Van Reenen training combination has lacked punch at the business end of matters and looks limited at best.
Pacific Chestnut is the third of the Bass-Robinson trio. The son of Horse Chestnut has his first start in 11 weeks since running a poor race in the Winter Derby when beaten 10,50 lengths by Doublemint. This one-time winner won at his fourth start over 2400m and is likely to mature and improve in his 4yo term.
The Snaith’s 7yo Master’s Eye lumbers a back-breaking 65kgs and is clearly the proven class act in the race. The 7yo Jet Master gelding has run well fresh and can go the trip. He has not run for 11 weeks and may lack the edge to pace it with his younger and fitter stablemate, Magnificent Seven.
Andre Nel’s Silvano mare Sister Soozie was an impressive course-and-distance winner at her last start when staying on well to beat The Silva Fox by 2,75 lengths. She has tended to be a bit in-and-out but may be staying on for quartets if she puts her best foot forward.
Vaughan Marshall’s The Silva Fox stays very well and has a nice consistent formline with four seconds and a win at his last five starts. He will probably need to up his game again to be competitive and is in under sufferance here.
The race should prove a spectacle as they pass the stands twice en route to glory. Magnificent Seven is the progressive standout in the line-up and he can improve again to hold Red Peril and the gutsy Master’s Eye
