Vaughan Marshall defends his Listed Settlers Trophy title at Durbanville on Saturday when the 5yo gelding Black Knap bids to win the 2000m contest for the second year running and make it a third straight victory in the race for Alec and the Honourable Gillian Foster as owner-breeders, and for the outstanding Dynasty.
The deceased Ridgemont Highlands champion sire has 4 sons running in the seven-horse field on Saturday.
Black Knap defends his title (Pic- Chase Liebenberg)
In line with a request to give the race a better fit in the summer season foundation programme, the distance was dropped from the traditional 2400m to 2000m from 2019, the year that Belgarion won it and launched his march to Vodacom Durban July glory.
After the Snaith’s Magnificent Seven had won the race in 2018, Vaughan Marshall broke the stranglehold last year when Black Knap beat Bayberry – whom he meets again on Saturday.
And after a successful SA Champions Season on the East Coast, where he won the Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, and then moved up like a winner in the Hollywoodbets 2200 (the Durban July consolation) last time, before caught in the shadow of the post by Shango, he looks the one to beat again.
If not in need of it after a 12 week break, he should go well in the hands of Anton Marcus.
The scratching of Crome Yellow has reduced the field to just seven runners and Justin Snaith holds the tactical trumpcard with a three way coupling headed by the handily weighted One Way Traffic, who will be ridden by Richard Fourie. The lightly exposed gelding caught the eye when winning his last start over 2400m at Kenilworth.
Another smart son of Dynasty, the 4yo takes a jump in class and could be equal to it.
Grant van Niekerk has formed a power partnership with the Aussie-bred Anse Lazio, who has won his last two starts well and will strip fit.
Lightly raced Salvator Mundi won well last time (Pic- Chase Liebenberg)
Runner-up in this race last year, Bayberry ran a cracking pipe-opener over a too short 1500m and will strip fitter with that run under his belt.
The Gr3 Pocket Power Stakes winner Crimson King lumps topweight of 61kgs, but has shown touches of class and could be coming into his own as a 4yo.
Yet another smart son of Dynasty, Salvatore Mundi tries the 2000m for the first time after an impressive strike last time in lower-rated handicap company. He has tremendous scope and is a model of consistency.
Lucinda Woodruff saddles the consistent Retro Effect, who returns after a ten week break. The son of Twice Over gets the services of Greg Cheyne and must be included in what looks like a field race for the Pick 6 and Jackpot players.
The first race at Durbanville is off at 13h15 on Saturday.
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