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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Peter Snowden has one eye on the weather with promising three-year-old Zealously and if it’s kind to him he’s expecting a second-up win at Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Peter Snowden (Pic: Bradley Photos)

The gelding was narrowly beaten when he resumed at Warwick Farm earlier this month and, while beaten, it proved to Snowden that he was on the right track and is becoming a more complete racehorse.

He said the way the Jeff Pendlebury Handicap (1100m) appears to shape up will be ideal for Zealously.

“He’s taken good improvement from the run and he’s in nice shape,’’ he said.

“If we don’t get too much rain he’ll be competitive.

“I’m confident he’ll get out to 1200m now he’s relaxing better. One time we had to lead to get the best out of him.

"He got back in that good race at the Sunshine Coast and worked home really well (fourth to Private Harry), he sat off the speed first-up and hit the line well.

“He doesn’t have to lead, now he’s gelded he’s more genuine.”

The presence of speedster Passeggiata is a course of confidence for Snowden as Zealously, $1.80 with TAB on Thursday, should get the chance to show how genuine he is with something to chase down.

He has the 2kg off for in-form apprentice Braith Nock and Snowden said it’s an important race for Zealously to prove he’s worthy of being aimed at something during the Brisbane winter.

“He’s up in class now so it gets a bit harder but I was more than pleased with his run the other day in a good class race,’’ he said.

“If he keeps ticking those boxes and stepping up there are races in Brisbane we’ll have a look at later on. He’s got to keep winning these sorts of races to earn a spot to go up there.”

Two-year-old filly Akaysha got under Snowden’s guard when she won on debut at Kembla Grange beating stablemate Beadman, who runs at Newcastle on Saturday, and he’s not going to be underestimating her.

While he concedes the ATC Bookmakers Recognition Day Handicap (1100m) is something of a test he said she’s done everything right at home since that win.

“She always worked well but I was surprised she beat the other horse,’’ he said.

“She worked very well on Tuesday too and she could be a sleeper. That’s a very strong race, she’s drawn okay, but I was impressed with her win.”

Muswellbrook Cup winner Lavish Empire is on trial for a shot at next month’s Scone Cup if he can hold his form in the Precise Air Handicap (1500m).

It was his first win beyond 1300m when he earned his Big Dance eligibility and Snowden suspects the five-year-old is appreciating a bit more ground.

“It was probably the best run of his career the other day so maybe getting out in distance works in his favour,’’ he said.

Zealously runs second at Warwick Farm on April 2

“He gets a long way back, he’s got a booming finish, but in these slightly longer races they don’t go as quick he can be a touch closer and it makes the job easier.”

Peter Snowden on King Of Roseau (race 6): “He had one soft trial so he can only be fitter from that run. The back up is good for him, he’s a good doer, he should present well on Saturday and run well.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting