Former champion trainer Justin Snaith has made a blistering start to the 2016-2017 season, and South Africa’s current log leading trainer was once again to the fore at Durbanville on Saturday.

Snaith saddled Francia (Dynasty) and Captain Splendid (Captain Al) to fill the first two placings in the day’s feature race, the Listed Settlers Trophy over 2400m.

However, it was Gr3 World Sports Betting East Cape Derby hero Captain Splendid who jumped the 22-10 favourite for Saturday’s R150 000 with his stable mate a well backed 4-1 chance.

While the four-year-old Captain Splendid was gallant in defeat, Francia proved too strong for the gelding in the finish and prevailed to win by just under half a length. The Bass-Robinson trained My World ran on smartly for third –a good effort considering the Ideal World gelding had not run since July, while blue blooded Australian bred mare Lady Redoute (Redoute’s Choice) finished fourth.

The Jack and Nancy Mitchell owned winner stopped the clock in a time of 154.51.

By outstanding sire Dynasty, the Haras Del Carmo bred Francia has now won three of just nine outings, with her victories including last season’s Listed Winter Oaks.

Out of the Rakeen mare Venturesome, Francia is a half sister to the useful stakes placed fillies Earth’s Orbit (Captain Al) and Dark Journey (Black Minnaloushe).