Group 2 winner First Settler going back to Flemington first-up for $500,000 race

Quality three-year-old First Settler will take an impressive straight-track record to Flemington for his first-up outing in Saturday’s $500,000 HKJC World Pool Sprint Classic.

The Flemington straight is the logical place for Group 2 winner First Settler to start his charge towards the top level in his delayed autumn campaign.

First Settler thrived down the Flemington straight course last year, winning two of three starts on the famous track, including the Group 2 Danehill Stakes in the spring.

The Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes didn’t go to plan for the colt, but trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr have the three-year-old ready to start his preparation in the $500,000 HKJC World Pool Sprint Classic (1100m).

Price and Kent Jr won the race formerly known as the Sunlight Classic two years ago with the talented but injury-hampered sprinter What You Need.

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Price said First Settler had overcome a setback of his own while spelling, which pushed back the start of the smart sprinter’s autumn campaign.

However, the trainer added First Settler had spelled well after his spring preparation.

“He hurt his hind leg in the paddock and that held him up a little bit,” Price said.

“He’s a lovely colt and got a good brain on him. He’s no trouble.

“He’ll still catch the right races, I think.”

First Settler has won two Cranbourne jumpouts leading into his return to the races, beating the Oakleigh Plate winner Jimmysstar in the first of those hit-outs.

“His two trials have been very good,” Price said.

First Settler won the Group 2 Danehill Stakes down the Flemington straight course in the spring. Picture: Getty Images.

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“He’ll run in the Sunlight down the straight and he likes the straight.

“He was probably on the way down in the Coolmore, so he wasn’t at his best that day.

“I think you’ll find he’ll show up in the Sunlight.”

Price said Saturday’s assignment would be the perfect first-up run for First Settler before the son of Written Tycoon headed to Sydney for a rich three-year-old race on April 12.

He added the winner of three of five starts could progress towards Group 1 sprints after his Sydney test.

Exciting @MickPriceRacing 3YO colt FIRST SETTLER defeated a talented group to win his @KarakaChat jumpout this morning.

Replays of all of this morning's jumpouts can be found on https://t.co/rJfhjrhLVX. pic.twitter.com/1nD9pbWU5W

— Southside Racing (@SthsideRacing) March 17, 2025

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“He will go to the Arrowfield (Sprint) in Sydney,” Price said.

“He’s a nice horse and he’s got good group ability.

“Hopefully he’s got Group 1 ability at some point.

“That will be the plan at this stage.”

It's a Price-Kent quinella in the Danehill! 💰

First Settler nails Reserve Bank in a thrilling finish 👊 @[e-mail]/2SZHhCCAV4

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 5, 2024

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First Settler is one of 26 entires for the World Pool Sprint Classic along with his stablemate Hot Digity Boom, who improved sharply when third as a $71 chance in the $1 million Inglis Sprint at Flemington on March 1.

Impressive Kiwi three-year-old Alabama Lass is set to make her Australian debut in the event after winning five of eight starts in her homeland.

The Alabama Express filly strolled to an easy 5-½ length win in a Group 3 contest at her latest appearance at Ellerslie on March 8.

Originally published as Group 2 winner First Settler going back to Flemington first-up for $500,000 race