First Settler likely to return in the Poseidon Stakes

Yulong will further showcase its impressive arsenal of three-year-old colts at Cranbourne on Monday when First Settler ramps up his spring campaign.

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained youngster will have an 800m jumpout in preparation for a probable return in the $175,000 Listed Poseidon Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on September 14.

Yulong has grand plans for the son of its star sire Written Tycoon and is excited about seeing him return.

“Written Tycoon is towards the end of his stud career and if First Settler could come out and win a big race it would be wonderful to hang up a brass plate here with First Settler’s name on it and have him walk out of the stallion barn,” Yulong general manager Vin Cox said.

“We’re very excited what lies ahead for him.”

The $750,000 Magic Millions yearling’s jumpout will be just two days after the Ciaron Maher-trained Growing Empire underlined his talent with a stunning McNeil Stakes win under the Yulong green and white colours.

First Settler was scheduled to debut as an early-season two-year-old at Caulfield last year but was a late scratching after playing up in the barriers and was not seen at the races again until June 29 this year when an explosive winner over Landmark over 1000m.

He then headed to Flemington on July 20, where he again defeated Landmark over 1000m in what Cox said was an important reconnaissance mission at the venue for the most valuable race for three-year-old colts – November’s $2 million Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).

“That was Mick and Michael’s plan, to have him go down the straight so he got that exposure and got that experience,” Cox said.

“He handled it very well, the blowtorch was put to him pretty early and he fought them off well.

“The noises from the stable are very strong, he’s a very good-looking horse, we paid a lot of money for him, we’ve got high-profile owners in him, so it could be a bit of fun.”