Maine Chance Farms’ outstanding sire Silvano, recently crowned South Africa’s Champion Sire for a fourth time, had yet another double yesterday when responsible for a pair of winners at Durbanville on Tuesday.

Silvano’s progeny dominated Durbanville’s early races, with Silvano sons Silver Host and Metropolitan winning the first and second races respectively on the card.

The Drakenstein Stud bred and owned 3yo Silver Host caught the eye when powering home close home when he romped home to a clear-cut maiden win over 1600m. Under Richard Fourie, the Silvano gelding still looked green in running, but produced his best work close home when Silver Host flew up late to shed his maiden by one length.

Silvano struck in the very next race, when his Andre Nel trained son Metropolitan made all to score a three-parts of a length win over 2400 metres. Well ridden by Anthony Andrews, the La Plaisance bred gelding was winning for a second time, with Metropolitan having now won or placed in eight of 12 starts for his connections.

Out of the Fort Wood mare Dumani, Metropolitan is bred on the same Silvano/Fort Wood cross as the G1 winners Marinaresco and Nightingale.

The sire of more than 80 stakes winners, including last season’s Equus Champion Hawwaam and the very promising sire Vercingetorix, Silvano has made a blistering start to the 2019-2020 racing season in South Africa and is currently second on the General Sires List.