The Listed Settlers Trophy has been tweaked by the race programmers.
Today’s Durbanville feature has been dropped in distance from 2400m to 2000m. Apparently there was a lack of enthusiasm as some trainers were not keen to go so far this early with their decent feature horses.
Richard Fourie – can achieve the double (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
The Justin Snaith team saddle a trio of runners in a nice quality nine horse field. The reigning SA Champion trainer bids for a Settlers Trophy double after the smart Magnificent Seven broke a decade long curse on favourites in 2018.
Snaith’s powerful hand means he can score his third win in five runnings, and his sixth overall. The SP top-rated Platinum Prince carries the flag with the lightly campaigned Belgarion and topweighted senior Elusive Silva as support fire.
Belgarion – improving and underrated (Pic- Chase Liebenberg)
The handicapper may not yet have the number of the promising Dynasty 4yo Belgarion, who returned after an unplaced effort in the Cape Derby (he choked up, so had excuses), to win over a mile last time. A fitter horse this time, and from the best of the draw with Richard Foure up, he looks the one to beat.
The SP top-rated Platinum Prince gets the blinkers removed and enjoys the benefit of two recent runs under the belt. On his best form he must have an undeniable chance of banking the R93 750 first cheque and thus breaking the win hoodoo – his last success dating back over two years.
The 7yo Elusive Silva is clearly the proven class-horse in the race and showed his edge with an eyecatching victory over 1400m last time. The Vodacom Durban July placer, and multiple away stakes winner, could be dangerous at best.
American Landing has not won since his away success in the East Cape Derby in May 2018. He has tended to lack interest of late.
Gyre seldom runs a bad race and is 1,5kgs better of with Crome Yellow for a 0,75 length beating last time. He should be thereabouts again.
Dharma was something of a surprise winner of the Gr3 Winter Derby last term and only tired late when hanging on well for third at his first start as a 4yo in August.
Winter Derby winner Dharma – another improving sort (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
He was beaten 1,50 lengths by Crome Yellow but meets the Nel runner on 2kgs better terms and will strip fitter – and certainly more competitive over the extra 300m.
Crome Yellow is in a rich vein of form and goes for a hat-rick of wins. He has gone up in the ratings and will need to be at his best to hold the likes of Gyre – and even American Landing.
The grey Herodotus has his first run as a 4yo and his first as a gelding. The son of Trippi, who hails from a bang in-form yard, was beaten over 12 lengths by Dharma in the Winter Derby and now has to give the Woodruff galloper 5kgs on the handicap.
The Kenilworth Cup winner Pacific Chestnut comes in off a twelve week break following his modest Gold Vase effort. He is a genuine stayer who should find this sharp – even running fresh.
Belgarion is the selection to beat Platinum Prince and Elusive Silva – and to give Snaith the trifecta.
Note the false rail is set at 1m on the back straight, 4m on the turn and with a 5m spur at approximately the 550m mark.
