The Dynasty filly Francia became the first of her sex in thirteen years to win the R150 000 Listed Settlers Trophy when Greg Cheyne unleashed her at just the right moment to catch her more fancied stablemate Captain Splendid flat-footed in the final stages of the 2400m contest.
Winning trainer Justin Snaith won’t be complaining.
Greg Cheyne has Francia in control as Captain Splendid and Richard Fourie flash up late (Pic – Wayne Marks)
The former SA champion has started the season like he means serious business and he saddled the feature exacta on a day that saw his team unsaddle four winners – good news after an uncharacteristically quiet Friday at Fairview.
With transport problems torpedoing the hopes of PE raider Oh So Modus, ten runners lined up with the Snaith pair dominating the betting boards – East Cape Derby winner Captain Splendid just shading Francia.
Shadlee Fortune took the handily weighted Lady Redoute out to lead the charge, with Captain Splendid and Francia tucked in off them early.
The beautifully bred Lady Redoute had not gone fast and she continued to plug away into the home straight as Cheyne slipped Francia down the inside as Fourie became quite animated on Captain Splendid.
The move to go early on the smooth striding Francia was to be Cheyne’s ace as Richard Fourie had to pull Captain Splendid to the outside for a run and change whip hands, before the son of Captain Al found his stride.
Greg Cheyne – clever ride on Francia
But his effort was in vain as Francia stayed on like a good filly to hold his late challenge by 0,40 lengths.
Her winning time of 154,51 secs never threatened Thunderbird’s course record of 151,80 secs set on 19 July 1970.
Bred by Haras Del Carmo the smart winner is a daughter of Dynasty out of the solid winner producing Rakeen mare, Venturesome – only a one time winner but a half sister to the well performed Hinterland.
Francia was purchased for R200 000 by Jack Mitchell off the 2014 BSA National 2yo Sale – she was named Merovingian at the time.
She has now won 3 races with 5 places from 9 starts and took her stakes earned to R264 375.
This was Snaith’s fourth win in the early season staying feature in the past decade.
