Arezzo wins the Listed Settlers Trophy at Durbanville
Trainer Neil Bruss saddles two stakes performing fillies at the top of the weights for Saturday’s supporting Kenilworth feature, the R150 000 Listed Woolavington Handicap. But can the class pair take on Justin Snaith’s hardknocking duo of Ovidio and Arezzo over the energy-sapping 2400m?
Both Snaith runners are in form and will be no pushover in a race that doesn’t boast any genuine depth beyond the top quartet.
Choice
Bernard Fayd’herbe usually has the choice of the Bruss rides and he partners the Listed Queen Palm Handicap winner Deputy Ryder, who returns to action after a 14 week break, following a successful KZN Champions Season campaign.
While she stays well, suspect fitness and the fact that she has to give Listed Settlers Trophy winner 5,5kgs suggests that she may have a lot of work to do.
Her stablemate Zante on the other hand has had one prep run , when staying on for fourth behind the high-class Bass star, Inara over 1400m.
Zante is Gr1 placed, but although patently bred for the 2400m, she tries the serious ground for the first time on Saturday.
Snaith Coupling
Listed Settlers Trophy winner Arezzo is the first of the Snaith pair. Donavan Mansour rode a peach of a race last time to get him in front at a crucial stage as he stayed on well for his first feature win.
His beautifully-bred stablemate Ovidio tries the 2400m for the first time and goes for his fourth win in a row.
The son of Danehll Dancer has been rested six weeks and will be a major factor – if superior fitness on his stablemate’s part does not catch him out.
Robert Bloomberg – owns A Time To Kill
July winner Dunford’s half-brother A Time To Kill is no star, but is seldom far off the action.
The Mike Bass-trained son of Mullins Bay appeared to enjoy the step up in distance to 2400m when rattling late from midlfield to chase Arezzo home in the Settlers Trophy.
He will undoubtedly be a better horse at Kenilworth and could finally pick up a minor feature win if he has the necessary luck in running off a decent pace.
Disappointing
Hassen Adams – owns Parachute Man
The Darryl Hodgson-trained Parachute Man was fancied to win the Settlers Trophy, but dropped out in the run for home and ran an ordinary race to finish out of the money and 3,65 lengths off Arezzo.
He won twice in succession over the course and distance and it is a likely reality that he just doesn’t enjoy Durbanville.
The 6yo Private Doowaley stays well but has not been at his best in recent starts.
He might enjoy the 52kgs on his back and is always worth considering for the places.
Steyn Pair
Piet Steyn has two runners in the race with the game Friendly Tibbs a kilo better off with Arezzo for a 1,75 length beating in the Settlers Trophy.
Friendly Tibbs ran on strongly and he might be a better proposition at Kenilworth.
Forte De Ouro stays well and has won over the trip, albeit at the country course.
He had little to come late in the Listed Settlers Trophy and plodded into fourth, just over 2 lengths behind Arezzo.
Desert Swirl seen winning this race last year – his form since has been flat
He looks held on that effort.
Last term’s Woolavington Handicap winner Desert Swirl was very slow away in the Listed Settlers Trophy and was never in the hunt thereafter.
The son of Second Empire has lost form badly in the ensuing year and really cannot be fancied.
The Snaith duo are selected to dominate this race, with money chances to A Time To Kill and the Bruss fairer sex pair.
