Cassiel finally looks ready to show worth at Kembla Grange meeting
By Neil Evans
He hasn’t been seen since an initial autumn campaign, and already has had one spring false start through wet weather, but flying four-year-old Cassiel is ready to rock when he returns at Thursday’s feature Kembla Grange meeting.
And this time connections mean business, with Cassiel resuming as a gelding and carrying a string of gear changes for a competitive Benchmark 64 Hcp over 1000m.
Racing returns to Kembla Grange on Thursday for an eight-race card.Credit: Getty Images
A mixture of ability and wayward manners earlier this year against provincial and metropolitan opposition meant Cassiel was quickly put away after three runs.
Sired by Irish flyer Harry Angel, he was a very impressive debut winner at Wyong back in March before losing his way in two subsequent runs prior to spelling.
But a decision to geld him and introduce several gear changes looks to have flicked the switch back on, judging from the way he bolted in the second of two recent trials, running a fast 33.16 seconds for his final 600m, and leaving talented Listed-winning mare Commemorative in his wake.
Cassiel was due to return at last Thursday’s washed-out Hawkesbury meeting, but finally gets his chance to remind racegoers what he’s got under the bonnet, with Rory Hutchings the new jockey.
The Kembla track was rated well into Heavy range through Wednesday, but clearing weather suggests the meeting could start on a Heavy 8, or may even get to a Soft 7.
Despite being unproven in rain-affected ground, Cassiel did bolt in a Soft 7 trial at Rosehill late last year.
Randwick-based trainer Peter Snowden will be eying off some feature provincial sprints or a midweek metro assignment if the gelding fires at Kembla.
Certainly, he gets a more than handy test, opening around $5.50 across early markets just behind early fancies, smart first-up Kembla winner Insist at $4.50 and resuming home track filly Island Dec at around $4.80.
Cassiel is one of several smart sprinters resuming at the meeting, including the smart Waterhosue-Bott trained filly Celestial Bling who returns in a Fillies & Mares Maiden Hcp over 1200m behind two strong trials.
Supplied by Racing NSW
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