'CHUBBY' CASCABEL WARRANTS ATTENTION

The following is Carl Di Iorio's report from Virtual Formguide on Cascabel's victory at Ballarat on Thursday (23 April).

Expect to see Cascabel return to the metropolitan area sooner rather then later following an impressive victory in the Ballarat BMW Country Showcase 0 - 68 Handicap (1200m) for three-year-olds at Ballarat this afternoon.

The Robbie Griffiths trained Cascabel ($3.80-$4-$3.20) defeated Testaguy ($2.50-$4.20) by three quarters of a length with the incredibly unlucky Wojcinski ($5) a further half a length away in third.

"He's not a brilliant beginner out of the gates so you've got to lift him out but once you get your spot he travels sweetly all the time," jockey Peter Mertens said after the race.

Cascabel returned from a 17 week spell today and Mertens believes the son of Bel Esprit will take benefit from the run.

"I like him a lot but he was a bit like a train today, carrying a bit of pudding. I think he'll improve a lot with the run," Mertens said.

Beaten by less than half a length on debut at Sale, Cascabel won a 3yo Maiden at Ballarat over 1200m at his next start which featured the debut of Coubertin - a half brother to Elvstroem and Haradasun.

The three-year-old gelding was placed at his next two outings - both in town - when second behind the much heralded Keano and third behind Mr Paparazzi.

Cascabel is by Bel Esprit out of Gogo Doll, a dam that has produced seven to race with five of those to taste racetrack success.

Her best performed progeny is the stakes placed galloper Soi Cowboy, who ran second behind Lions Gate in the 2004 Listed Geelong Classic (2200m). That was followed by an fighting fourth in the VRC Derby (2500m) at only his fourth career start.

Cascabel has had five starts for two wins and two placings with $62,550 in the bank.