Peter Snowden believes Crescent King has the scope to compete at stakes race level this spring, following a hard-fought maiden victory at Canterbury.
While the margin of victory over Better By Far was a mere short neck, Snowden highlighted the three-year-old’s above-average ability shown at home and expects him to continue developing.
“He delivered a tradesman-like performance today, and I’m impressed with him,” Snowden commented. “He has consistently shown potential. He was a bit fragile, experiencing shine soreness on a couple of occasions, but he is now sound. He is entering his prime at the opportune moment to step up, as several significant races are approaching rapidly.”
Ridden by Zac Lloyd in Wednesday’s Hyland Race Colours Plate (1100m), Crescent King ($2.70 favourite) outlasted the leader Better By Far ($4.60) in the closing stages, with Vatican ($7) finishing a distant third, three lengths adrift.
Snowden has not yet finalised a race program for the winner but is keen to test him in black-type company, with the Brian Crowley Stakes (1100m) being a potential target.
“He is still quite raw, but he possesses the necessary talent to succeed,” he stated. “I was keen to see how he performed today first. However, competing in these Listed races now is a considerable challenge. You need to ensure you have the right contender, but I believe he might be capable.”
The Chris Waller stable also has stakes race ambitions for the filly Saffron Veil ($1.90 favourite), who held off stablemate Affari ($10) by a half-length in the Schweppes Handicap (1200m) after securing runner-up finishes in her first two starts.
Charlie Duckworth, Waller’s assistant trainer, mentioned that the Flight Stakes (1600m) was initially considered for Saffron Veil but would have been too soon, although the Thousand Guineas remains an option.
“She was entered for the Flight Stakes and the Thousand Guineas when she first raced, so we must still consider the Thousand Guineas. The Flight Stakes will obviously come around too quickly, but that’s our current thinking,” Duckworth explained.
Keep an eye on Crescent King’s next race, with markets available at various betting sites.
