![Crescent King and Zac Lloyd get the better of Better By Far in a tight finish at Canterbury. [Bradley Photos]](https://betsy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2360849.jpg)
Peter Snowden believes Crescent King has the scope to measure up to a stakes race this spring after taking an important step in the right direction with a gallant maiden win at Canterbury.
While his short neck margin over Better By Far was narrow, Snowden says the three-year-old has shown above-average ability at home and will continue to improve as he masters his craft.
“Tradesman-like performance today, but I like him,” Snowden said.
“He’s always shown potential. He’s been a bit soft, he went ‘shinny’ (shine sore) a couple of times but he’s sound now.
“He’s in at the right time now to measure up because there are some good races coming up quickly.”
⚜️New winner for #WrittenTycoon 🤩
Yulong-bred and -sold Crescent King (ex True Moonlight) gives a classy performance in the first at @aus_turf_club Canterbury, securing his first career win at start two for @SnowdenRacing1.
The 3YO colt was a @mmsnippets Gold Coast graduate… pic.twitter.com/kHNFFV3lvu
— Yulong Investments (@YulongInvest) September 16, 2026
Ridden by Zac Lloyd in Wednesday’s Hyland Race Colours Plate (1100m), Crescent King ($2.70 fav) wore down leader Better By Far ($4.60) in the shadows of the post, with Vatican ($7) three lengths away third.
Snowden hasn’t locked in a program for the winner, but he is keen to step him up to black-type company with a race like the Brian Crowley Stakes (1100m) among the options.
“He’s still very raw, but he’s got the ability to get there,” he said.
“I just wanted to see what he did today first. But going to these Listed races now, it’s a pretty tall ask. You’ve got to make sure you’ve got the right weapon, but I think he might be okay.”
The Chris Waller stable likewise has stakes race ambitions for filly Saffron Veil ($1.90 fav) after she held out stablemate Affari ($10) by a half-length in the Schweppes Handicap (1200m) following a brace of runner-up finishes at her first two starts.
Waller’s assistant trainer, Charlie Duckworth, said the Flight Stakes (1600m) had originally been entertained for Saffron Veil but was going to come up too quickly, although the Thousand Guineas (1600m) remained an option.
“She did enter Flight Stakes and Thousand Guineas thoughts when she first stepped out at the races, so you’ve got to still keep the Thousand Guineas in mind. The Flight will obviously come around too quick but that’s what we’re thinking,” Duckworth said.
