Casual Connection’s winning form holds the key to Stayer’s Cup

Trainer John Sargent is expecting another bold showing from his in-form stayer Casual Connection in the Stayer’s Cup at Rosehill.

If winning form is the only yardstick, Casual Connection is undoubtedly the clear horse to beat in Saturday’s Irresistible Pools Benchmark 90 Stayer’s Cup (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Casual Connection holds the dubious honour of being the only horse in the Cup field to win a race in his past four starts and is one of just two contenders to win a race this year.

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The John Sargent-trained has won two of his past six starts, including a 2400m success at Royal Randwick on May 24, and can add to his superior mile and a half record in staying test.

“He is hard fit and in-form so as long as the track doesn’t get too firm, I think he will really run well,” Sargent said.

“The little bit of give or worse suits him but he’s hit good form and is down in the weights.

“He’s well-weighted in a race like that and a lot of the horses are out of form.”

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Apprentice Molly Bourke’s 2kg claim gets Casual Connection in with 53kg with bookies rating the gelding a clear $3.10 favourite.

Casual Connection will jump one from the outside in the Stayer’s Cup and Sargent sees the wide gate as an advantage.

Casual Connection loves the heavy going!

That's his 4th win over 2400m👏pic.twitter.com/HpSIZqfiDm

— bet365 Australia (@bet365_aus) May 24, 2025

“I don’t mind the wide draw because he can roll over in his own time and when he drawn in one he gets caught on the inside,” he said.

“He has to get out and rolling and is a horse that needs to roll off around the 800m to 600m and get in the big long stride.”

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Casual Connection would take his earnings well past the $500,000 mark if the six-year-old can win again.

A date with next month’s Listed $200,000 Grafton Cup (2350m) on July 17 could also be considered if Casual Connection performs on Saturday.

“He is a great old horse and he might have a break after this but if he happens to win we might look at the Grafton Cup with him,” Sargent said.

“He has been up quite a while but he loves being in work.

“That type of race at Grafton on Saturday is a nice race.”

Originally published as Casual Connection’s winning form holds the key to Stayer’s Cup