Wakefield's faltering play-off bid was shot down either side of the break as the Tigers recovered from 12-0 down to build a commanding 36-16 lead just after the hour.
A combination of some fluent, incisive attack against a ponderous, hesitant defence left a low-on-confidence home team chasing shadows.
Tigers boss Terry Matterson singled out Stuart Donlan, Mike Wainwright and Andy Henderson for special praise in the post-match press conference but they were just three of a number of stand-outs.
After losing Brent Sherwin injured on the half-hour, Cas were superbly served by playmakers Ryan McGoldrick and Luke Dorn while in the pack Liam Higgins, Awen Guttenbeil, Ned Catic and Mitchell Sargent dominated their opposite numbers.
Catic's hard running caused his old side problems and Sargent showed the work ethic to become a real fans' favourite.
Second best for the opening 15 minutes, Cas halved the arrears with a try on 19 minutes from Donlan, who took Sherwin's pass and stepped out of a Danny Brough tackle to score from 20 metres. Kirk Dixon converted with the first of a perfect eight from eight return.
A fine kick from Sherwin was wasted by a poor chase but the Cas fans packed behind the sticks did not have long to wait for a second try. McGoldrick put Catic through a hole with a lovely pass and the back-rower drew Matt Blaymire to put Donlan over.
Sherwin's departure forced a reshuffle that saw Joe Westerman introduced off the bench and the teenager made a swift impact with a close-range try off McGoldrick's kick.
Two minutes later Dorn netted his 17th try of the campaign after Cas carved Wakefield open down their left. It followed a superb charge from Sargent, continued by Donlan and McGoldrick, that left the Wildcats' defence struggling to get back.
Dixon's fourth goal capped an impressive fight back - and there was better to follow.
Home hooker Sam Obst was halted short by good work by Sargent, Guttenbeil and Donlan on the restart and on 47 minutes substitute Andy Henderson capped a lively display by burrowing his way over.
Twice cute kicks from McGoldrick forced drop-outs to keep Wakefield on the back foot and the pressure told shy of the hour when Peter Lupton's pass out of first receiver put Craig Huby through the hugest of holes.
Wakefield needed something special to avert a seventh straight defeat and tries from Ryan Atkins (63 minutes) and Brett Ferres (eight minutes later) nudged them to within 14 points
But Cas were still reaping the rewards of some lovely play. Wainwright had a 'try' ruled out for hitting the flag after quick hands from Scott Moore, Huby and Dixon before two tries in the final five minutes sent the visitors' fans home happy.
The excellent Westerman pounced on Dorn's kick to complete a double and after Catic again punched through a demoralised defensive line, the supporting Westerman drew the last man to put Moore behind the posts.
Wakefield's dejection on the hooter was in stark contrast to the elation of a dominant opening spell.
Sean Gleeson finished a nice move to put them ahead on six minutes, a try goaled by Brough, and Obst, put through a hole by Jamie Rooney, rounded Donlan for his side's second six-pointer.
But that was as good as it got for John Kear's men.