Horse of the moment Settle Strada added yet another piece of silverware to its already bulging trophy cabinet with a dominant victory in todays listed WFA Goodwood Sprint 1300m.
The 5yo Strada gelding has taken all before it this Belmont Winter Carnival, with slashing wins in four feature sprint events – including the Beaufine Stakes 1000m, the HG Bolton Sprint 1200m, the Belmont Newmarket 1200m, together with an effortless display in today’s Goodwood Sprint 1300m – and what a procession it was.
Sent out as an unbackable favourite, Settle Strada ($1.26 fav) dictated terms from the outskirts, as it strolled comfortably to the lead upon barrier rise. Jockey Pat Carbery could not have asked for a cleaner start, and must have “smelt blood in the water” early, as rivals allowed his giant gelding to secure a dream run upfront.
The Entourage ($15.00) showed the only signs of mounting a challenge, as it loomed up to the favourite passing the 600 metre mark. But the imminent threat was treated with contempt by Settle Strada, as Carbery simply shifted up a gear – his mount literally toying with its ill-fated prey.
And that was that – a quick kill proceeded as Settle Strada put lengths on the tiring field – before cantering to the line for a clinical 2 ¾ length whitewash.
Perth Cup winner Talent Show ($26.00) worked home late for second, hitting the line together with third placegetter Miss Tipsy Topsy ($8.00).
It was a second Goodwood victory for trainer David Harrison, who had taken out the sprint feature with Blevvo in 2004.
Chris Blackwell