Improving track draws Cassiel to Randwick races

Peter Snowden is hoping to continue his late-season surge with in-form galloper Cassiel when the four-year-old contests The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1000m) at Randwick this Saturday.

The son of Harry Angel was scratched from a midweek assignment at Canterbury due to the wet track, with Snowden opting to hold him back for better ground.

“It was a heavy nine (at Canterbury). I almost went with him but I thought, if he got beaten a head at Canterbury and it was a good four on Saturday, I’d be kicking myself,” Snowden said.

“So I made the decision to pull out and wait for Saturday.

“He’s a nice horse. Still learning but he is starting to put it all together now and it’s coming through in his efforts on the track.

“He is racing very well, consistently without overdoing it and he is finding the line really well. He’s a chance on Saturday.”

Cassiel has returned this preparation in terrific form, winning both starts including a dominant front-running effort at Canterbury and a classy follow-up at Hawkesbury.

His stable is enjoying a hot streak, with recent winners including rising two-year-old Raging Force and consistent mare Tashi, who broke through for a well-deserved Group 1 win in the Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m).

“That was the highlight of the year,” Snowden said.

“For that horse to win that race was just so good. She had been so unlucky so many times and to finally get a Group One meant a lot.”

At $5 in early betting, Cassiel looks to remain unbeaten this campaign, while California Sunrise ($14) will also represent the stable in the Precise Air Handicap (1400m).

Given Snowden’s 11 wins from his past 50 runners, punters may find plenty of value in betting on his Randwick runners this weekend.