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By Ray Hickson

The combination of a run under the belt and some welcome rain has trainer Peter Snowden quietly confident Capital Asset can find his best form at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Trainer Peter Snowden (Pic: Steve Hart)

The four-year-old, a winner of three from 11, was only beaten 1.3 lengths when he resumed on the Kensington track two weeks ago but considering the passage he had in the race Snowden said he expected a little better.

“I was a little disappointed, he looked to be travelling quite well on the corner,’’ Snowden said.

“He hit a bit of a flat spot but I did like what he did the last 100m, he was good through the line.

“Put it down to a bit of rustiness maybe, a more genuine pace might help him as well.”

Capital Asset, $5.50 with TAB on Tuesday, was an impressive winner on a heavy track before a spell and Snowden concedes the gelding tends to improve through his preparation so the Casino Prince @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1250m) is an opportunity to bounce back.

Snowden, who co-trains with son Paul, said Capital Asset’s work in the past week has been strong and from barrier two Josh Parr will be able to give him his chance.

“Normally he over races badly in his first couple of runs, I don’t think that beat him the other day,’’ he said.

“I thought he settled well enough but when they quickened up the wheels spun for a while.

“He does like the sting out of the ground, his wet form is good form, and he should get a cosy run from the draw.”

Zoustar colt Bravely is set to make his debut in the Paulele @ Darley Handicap (1200m) on the back of an easy trial win just under two weeks ago.

A $500,000 yearling, the three-year-old has had a stop-start career to date with several breaks between trials but Snowden said he's ready to go and he’ll be competitive.

“He’s always shown a bit of ability but it’s taken a while to get there, he’s been shinsore a few times but he’s good now,’’ he said.

“He had a nice little blow after the trial but he’s had a couple of weeks work since so it should stand him in good stead and a good draw is gold for him.”

There’s a sense of “horse to follow” from Snowden about three-year-old filly California Sunrise who starts her second prep in the TAB Handicap (1200m).

Her debut was a fast-finishing third behind Oz Empress at Warwick Farm back in April and while a first-up win wouldn’t shock the trainer he said watch out her for later on.

“She probably wants a bit further,’’ he said.

“It’s a starting point for her, she has a good draw which will help, and we’ll see the best of her over 1400m to a mile.”

Capital Asset's first-up run at Kensington on August 2

Peter Snowden on Thousand Years (race 3): “She’s been a little disappointing, her last two starts have been good without being great. We put the blinkers on her to see if it sharpens her up. She’s finishing her race off well but not taking part early and the blinkers might help that.”

On Tashi (race 6): "She’s been getting too far back but blinkers on her as well might help her."

Meanwhile, the Snowden stable’s TAB Everest runner Mazu is set to have his first barrier trial next week as he closes in on a return.

Last year’s third placegetter in Australia’s richest race will trial twice before resuming in the Group 2 $1 million The Shorts (1100m) on September 16.

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday's Canterbury meeting