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By Ray Hickson

Trainer John Sargent will consider keeping consistent stayer Casual Connection going for a shot at next month’s Grafton Cup if he’s successful at Rosehill on Saturday.

Trainer John Sargent (Pic: Bradley Photos).

It’d be just reward for a staying gelding who has managed to win at least one race every preparation and he’ll be shooting for his third in his current prep, which started in February, in the Irresistible Pools Stayer’s Cup (2400m).

“He’s been a great horse for the stable,” Sargent said.

“He came over from New Zealand for some friends of mine who have gone in with me and he keeps putting in.

“Any of them could win a race like this at this time of year but at least he’s in form, he’s consistent, and he will run well.

“He’s probably going out but if he happened to win I might stick around for the Grafton Cup.”

Casual Connection, $4.20 with TAB on Thursday, has won four times at the 2400m and while he was beaten by Tympanist on the Kensington track just over two weeks ago he drops 6.5kg after Molly Bourke’s claim.

Prior to that he was successful over the 2400m at Randwick, scoring a runaway win in heavy ground, and Sargent said he’s just in the zone and there’s no reason why he can’t hold his form.

And he’ll be making his rivals higher up in the weights carry their burdens.

“He’s really hit his niche at the moment and he’s also adept the wetter it is but he’s that fit and hard now so long as the jar is out of the track he’ll be right in his element,’’ Sargent said.

“He runs on speed, Molly knows him well, he keeps himself out of trouble.

"It’s perfect where he is drawn, he can roll over and be on speed and get going early.

“He’s a stayer who likes to lay down the gauntlet and see if they can stay with him. With 53kg he can bowl along and hopefully kick on the bend.”

Meanwhile, the $2.3 million full sister to former star In Secret that Sargent purchased earlier this year at the Magic Millions sale has been named Secrets Within.

He said the rising two-year-old is currently out spelling and won’t be seen on the track in 2025 but he’s excited for when she does return.

“She came in and did a few weeks,’’ he said.

Casual Connection wins at Randwick on May 24

“She’s a tall filly and will take a bit of time. She will have a couple of months out and you won’t see her until later in the two-year-old season going into three.

“She’s a bit bigger than In Secret but she’s a lovely quality filly and we won’t rush her along.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting