Cranbourne trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr produced almost the perfect result when their colts ran the quinella in a Stakes race at Flemington.
Only a half-head separated First Settler and Reserve Bank at the end of the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) on Saturday with the pair expected to clash again in four weeks’ time in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.
First Settler, who was sent out the $4 favourite under Michael Dee, had to come from last to overhaul Reserve Bank ($5) who had a half-length to spare over third placed Enriched ($26).
“It’s a pleasing result when you’re working out a photo between your own two horses,” Kent Jnr said.
“I’m rapt with the horses, they both ran up to expectation. They’re both lovely, promising stud-type colts and both are very good.
“They often work together and there’s nothing between them and we’ve said it all along.
“I was rapt with Reserve Bank. It was his first try at Stakes company and he’s lived up to what he’s shown at home. He’s got the beautiful physique and a good turn-of-foot.
“He was exposed the whole way, so he was very good there and I think he’s got more to come in his coat, but the winner, gee, it was a determined run.”
Dee took First Settler back to last to find cover early in the race.
What Kent Jnr liked about First Settler’s performance was the way he was able to take a run on the inside and finish off strongly over the sprint course.
Kent Jnr said First Settler had been an improver all the way through his career and both he and co-trainer Price are looking forward to the future.
“He was a naughty colt, a lot of spirit, but he’s become the ultimate professional now,” Kent Jnr said.
“He’s so easy at home. He’s laid back. He never gets colty, and he does everything right.
“You can ride him forward, you can ride him back, but we do feel he’s better chasing one down.
With four weeks until the Coolmore Stud Stakes, Kent Jnr said he and Price would need to sit down and work out a plan for the two colts.
Options include heading straight to the Flemington race, or head to Caulfield for the Listed Gothic Stakes (1200m) on October 19.
“Bring on the Coolmore but we’ll decide what we do after we see how they pull up.”
