Mick Price sets sights on Coolmore Stud Stakes after First Settler and Reserve Bank quinella Danehill Stakes

First Settler bumped into subsequent Group 1 placegetter Growing Empire when resuming following two winter wins in the Listed Poseidon Stakes last month.

Reserve Bank took a more low-key path to the Danehill Stakes with a dominant Ballarat maiden win at his previous outing but only a half-head separated the pair at the end of Saturday’s $300,000 contest.

“Rapt with the horses, they ran up to expectation,” Price said.

“They’re both lovely, promising stud-type colts and both are very good.”

Reserve Bank raced closer to the speed than First Settler, whom jockey Michael Deehad to restrain to find cover early in the race.

First Settler sprinted sharply despite racing inside horses in the last 200m, which Price said was an indication of the winner’s impressive development.

“It was a very good trait for a colt to be able to come up the inside. It’s never easy. To sustain a long run was very good,” Price said.

“He was a naughty colt, a lot of spirit, but he’s become the ultimate professional now. He’s so easy at home. He’s laid back.”

Price said he and Kent Jr would determine whether First Settler or Reserve Bank needed another run in the four weeks between the Danehill and Coolmore Stud Stakes after assessing how they pulled up after their Flemington runs.