Trainer John Sargent had no hesitation in snapping up champion jockey James McDonald for the ride on honest stayer Casual Connection at Kensington on Thursday, and that’s boosted his confidence the gelding is “bang on” to fire.
The five-year-old will be fourth-up in the Armistice Handicap (2400m), a race he ran third in 12 months ago at the end of his preparation, having been ridden – and very well according to the trainer – by Sargent’s apprentice Molly Bourke in all three recent runs.
Star jockey James McDonald.Credit: Getty
He put the writing on the wall last week when he was narrowly beaten by For Victory over 1900m at Canterbury and Sargent is expecting a strong showing.
“He’s just hitting his peak now, I thought it’s a nice race for him,” Sargent said.
“It’ll help having the pilot on board, if he’s free and rings for the ride you take them. He’ll roll over onto the speed from the draw and he loves the distance.
“He’s still on the way up, that’s why I ran him last week to top him off for this race.”
Casual Connection has won four races from 24 starts and two of them have come over the 2400m distance.
The Randwick trainer said the back-up should be of no concern, adding he’s come through last week’s run particularly well.
“They seem to back up well when they get up to this distance, he’s match hardened now and the track should be nice with the jar out of it,” he said.
