There was a sense of deja’vu for Casual Connection’s trainer John Sargent as the gelding notched his eighth career-win at Randwick to put himself in the frame for a Queensland carnival tilt.
The six-year-old relished the heavy conditions to score a dominant victory in Saturday’s PF Civil Handicap (2400m), 12 months after capturing the same race on the corresponding program.
That success earned him a trip north for the Brisbane Cup (3200m) where he struck a dry surface and finished down the track.
However, Sargent hasn’t ruled out a second shot at the feature staying race if conditions in Queensland are rain-affected this year.
“I wouldn’t take him again – he is getting older now – unless it was wet,” Sargent said.
“He went last year and it was rock-hard and he didn’t like it. We will just tick away for a few weeks and see what the weather does.”
Casual Connection ($11) was given a superbly judged ride by apprentice Molly Bourke, who positioned him outside the leader before taking control of the race approaching the home turn.
He shot to an unassailable lead at the top of the straight, Victorian Wuddzz ($4.80 fav) eating into the margin late to finish three lengths away in second with Asgoodassobergets ($6.50) another 1-1/4 lengths away.
“He was really tough today,” Bourke said.
“He just needed everything to go his way. He is a momentum horse so as long as there is nothing in front of him coming into the straight he’s usually hard to run down.
“You can’t hold him up and then say ‘go’. You’ve got to start going a long way from home and then he just holds that high cruising speed.”
The afternoon was momentous for fellow junior rider William Stanley, who celebrated his first Saturday metropolitan win aboard the John Thompson-trained Flying Embers ($3.40 fav) in the Midway Handicap (1400m).
Indentured to Newcastle horseman Kris Lees, Stanley has been primarily plying his trade on the provincial circuit until recently and Thompson is already a fan.
“Kris gave him a good wrap and said he’s a good kid,” Thompson said.
“He is obviously a little bit heavy, which I don’t mind. I like no dead weight and he’s strong. Kris also said he listens to instructions and tries his best and I’ve found that.
“When he does ride a bad race, he’s filthy on himself and I like that….That’s how they learn and get better and he’s very competitive.”
Thompson also has a healthy opinion of Flying Embers and believes the filly can continue to progress through the grades.
