Exciting colt First Settler on trial for spring Group 1 at Flemington on Saturday

Dominant debut winner First Settler will have one more run this prep with trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr eager to find out if the colt can handle the Flemington straight.

First Settler cruised to victory on debut at Caulfield on debut. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Exciting colt First Settler is poised for a Flemington straight “learning mission” on Saturday.

First Settler, the top two-year-old in the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr yard, justified stable opinion with an authoritative Caulfield debut.

“It was no surprise, at all, to see him do that on debut,” Kent Jr said of the four-length rout.

“He’s always been right at the top of our pecking order, as far as two-year-olds go.

“He pulled up really well and we’re keen to go one more, have a look at him down the straight and improve his rating, hopefully.”

Jockey Michael Dee has retained the ride.

First Settler galloped impressively last Tuesday and Saturday respectively to confirm a Flemington 2YO Handicap (1000m) test.

“He’s right on track to run very well again on Saturday,” Kent Jr said.

“We’ll see if he handles the straight, nice to know early on and give us a guide.

“Naturally, these nice colts feed into the big race down the straight at the end of the spring.”

⚜️ Yulong-owned 2YO #WrittenTycoon colt First Settler (ex Graciousness) shows them how it's done on debut at Caulfield for @MickPriceRacing.

We purchased him from @BaramulStud's draft @mmsnippets GC Yearling Sale with his trainers.

He looks to be an exciting prospect 🙌 pic.twitter.com/wRrvHiWcMj

— Yulong Investments (@YulongInvest) June 29, 2024

First Settler is a $26 chance in TAB’s market for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 2.

Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot and Magic Millions star Storm Boy head the pre-nominations futures market as $8 favourites.

“If he can win on Saturday then that’s definitely where we’re aiming,” Kent Jr said.

“We’ve got a circle around that race (Coolmore), got to keep going the right way, but you got to plan for these things and dare to dream.

“We’ve had enough two-year-olds to know what (a good) one looks like, he gives us the right feel … ultimately, you got to find out what’s there in the big races under race day pressure and that is the unknown.”

First Settler trucked up ominously on debut and looked a winner a long way out.

The Caulfield times validated the visual dominance, with First Settler clocking the fastest 1000m, 800m, 600m, 400m and 200m sectionals on the race card.

“He’s got the makings of being a very nice colt,” Kent Jr said.

“I loved the way at Caulfield when Mick Dee went for him he just lowered and extended.

“He’s got one of those wicked actions where he really extends his front legs out in front of his chin and lowers like a good colt.

“He sat three wide no cover and put them away arrogantly, he’s got to keep improving as the bar is raised but we feel he can.”

First Settler will be set for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes if he can win at Flemington next Saturday. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Kent Jr has no reservation about the straight on Saturday.

“He’s very straightforward, he’s got an unflappable temperament, relaxes well,” Kent Jr said.

“He’s got tactical speed, he’s got a good last 400m, so I think he should be fine.

“He’s very tractable, if they go slow, if they go fast, it shouldn’t worry him, but we’re there to find out these things Saturday.”

Early nominations for Saturday’s 2YO race include Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans-trained Landmark, who finished second behind First Settler last start.

Ciaron Maher has entered a number of juveniles including the potential first starter Just Like Gaby.

Just Like Gaby, out of Maher-trained multiple Group 1-winner Loving Gaby, was scratched last Saturday at Caulfield.

Originally published as Exciting colt First Settler on trial for spring Group 1 at Flemington on Saturday