Crescent King has yet to face Saturday-grade competition, but a notable victory at Warwick Farm on Monday might have positioned him for a Stakes race start.
The three-year-old son of Written Tycoon has now won both his starts this preparation, coming from behind to defeat tearaway leader Fovea in the $65,000 Jacquinot First Crop 2YOs BM68 Handicap over 1100 metres.
This performance was precisely what trainer Peter Snowden hoped to see, confirming the colt’s suitability for the $200,000 Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 24.
“He’s won both starts his time in, a Super Maiden last start at Canterbury – that was a big win – and that was a good effort today with 60 kilos chasing a red-hot speed like that,” Snowden commented.
“He’s done a great job. He’s a talented horse. I think he’s above Wednesday grade and I think there’s a nice race coming up for him.
“Maybe the Brian Crowley. It’s something I’ve had my eye on for a while for him and after watching today, I don’t think he’ll be out of place in a race like that.”
Crescent King, sent off the $2.25 favourite, trailed Fovea by approximately 10 lengths through the middle stages and was still six lengths off the $3.20 second elect at the 300-metre mark. However, he finished with a powerful run under jockey Zac Lloyd’s urging to win by a soft 2-1/2 lengths. Moscow Maid ($21) was a further 1-1/4 lengths behind in third.
Zac Lloyd, who has ridden Crescent King in both his wins this preparation, suggested that a step up in racing class is justified.
“I thought today he’d be questionable at the 1100, because I think he’s going to be better over the six, seven furlongs, and now that he’s learning to relax it’s going to help him,” Lloyd said.
“He’s very bomb proof, this boy. He does everything right and will step up in some better races, I think.”
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