Yulong’s striking Written Tycoon colt First Settler kept his record at a perfect two-for-two with a hard-fought win in the VRC Member Russell Dawson Plate (1000m) down the Flemington straight.
Ridden by Michael Dee for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, First Settler was in the leading division and looked set for a comfortable win. The top weight came under pressure from the fast-finishing Nicconi colt Landmark but had enough in reserve to win by a neck.
The Rubick colt Skipjack was third ahead of Loving Gaby’s Pierata filly Just Like Gaby.
First Settler created a huge impression when winning on debut at Caulfield, two and a quarter lengths to the good of Landmark.
Mick Price said they have set an ambitious programme for the Written Tycoon colt in the spring.
“He’ll have a little breather now and be lined up for the nice three-year-old races, the Poseidon, the Danehill and the Coolmore (Stud Stakes)," Price said
“I thought it was a tough win. He was there to be beaten. He was ridden like the best horse, and if he gets beat, he gets beat.
“I think 1200m will be better for him. He’s a big, strong, powerful horse with good lungs, and 1200 will be beautiful.”
A $750,000 buy for Yu Long Investments /Mick Price Racing & Breeding from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, First Settler carries the colours of Yulong who race him with a prominent group of owners, which Rupert Legh, Noel Greenhalgh, and his breeder Gerry Harvey.
A half-brother to the MRC Twilight Glow Stakes winner Vienna Princess (Snitzel), First Settler is the third winner from as many to race for the Street Cry (IRE) mare Graciousness, who won a Kembla Grange maiden in eleven starts.
Graciousness is a half-sister to Vinery Stud’s Group I winning stallion Casino Prince, Group III winner Tagus and stakes-winners Lord of the Land and Metallurgical.
Graciousness is also a half-sister to Lady Paget (Testa Rossa), the dam of Oaklands Stud’s Group I JJ Atkins Stakes winner Prince Fawaz (Fastnet Rock), and Chateau Cheval (High Chaparral), the dam of young Coolmore stallion Best of Bordeaux (Snitzel), the winner of the Group II ATC Silver Slipper and Group II Roman Consul Stakes, second in the Group 1 Golden Slipper and third in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes.
Graciousness has a yearling colt by Snitzel who failed to make his $250,000 reserve at the National Yearling Sale. The daughter of Street Cry (IRE) foaled a Zoustar colt last September and was covered by Snitzel.
Yulong’s flagship stallion, Written Tycoon, is weeks away from being crowned the Champion 2yo Sire in Australia and New Zealand.
