Latest news with #JohnSargent
News.com.au
26-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Casual Connection's winning form holds the key to Stayer's Cup
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. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 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.' 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 2400mðŸ'� — 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.' 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.'
News.com.au
19-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Shayne O'Cass' tips, race-by-race analysis for 2025 Civic Stakes Day at Royal Randwick
Form expert Shayne O'Cass analyses Saturday's 10-race card at Royal Randwick on Saturday, presenting his race-by-race tips and analysis. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! â– â– â– â– â– John Sargent has won his fair share of Midways and few of them were any more ready and able for their respective mission than HOOLIGAN TOMMY (6). The son of Ocean Park ran in Riff Rocket's ATC Derby in 2024, okay he ran last but just saying. As for more recent times, you wouldn't see a more dominant win than his at Kembla on May 31. Speaking of dominant wins, AIX EX PROVENCE (5) made very light work of his rivals with a very big weight at Newcastle. Bet: Hooligan Tommy to win â– â– â– â– â– RACE 2: TAB Highway (C3) 1200m EXIT FEE (3) has eight starts on his resume, six of them are in Highways and wow, what amazingly deep Highways they were. He won one but I prefer to applaud him on the ones he lost, running so well behind the likes of Clear Thinking, Lisztomania and his stablemate, Atmospheric Rock. SATIN STILETTO (2) has the race fitness and was beaten under a length in the Denise's Joy just before that fifth in a good Highway here on June 7. Bet: Exit Fee to win, box trifecta 2, 3, 14, 16 â– â– â– â– â– RACE 3: Quayclean (Bm72) 1300m PRETTY POWERFUL (7) was born on Christmas Eve in 2021. That's as late as a foal gets in this country. How about this; he was the 10th foal of his dam, all ten are now winners, five of them are stakes winners. That's just incredible. Form is good, trials were good. AMUSING (11) improved every time last prep. Her third was behind Verona Rose at Kembla. Going to go 2000m when asked. SAKIMA (9) has black-type form. Win a deep trial too. Bet: Pretty Powerful to win, exacta 7 to beat 11 â– â– â– â– â– RACE 4: Elite Sand & Soil (Bm78) 1800m If Nash Rawiller gives SEAFALL (2) the same ride as he did at Warwick Farm two starts ago, this will win by a hundred yards. She drew 1 that day, now compare and contrast that to her 13 of 13 here on May 31 in that race where Half Yours took off 800m out etc. Actual fact, Seafall wasn't that bad in the end. PIGGYBACK (5) is back and in good form. They may have finished in a clump in that 78 at Randwick on June 7 but it was a tidy assembly of fillies and mares. Bet: Seafall to win â– â– â– â– â– LAST COMMAND (9) won the Paul Perry 2YO Handicap at start two of his career beating Just Party and Broadsiding (wow). He followed up with a distant sixth of 12 in the Baillieu behind Linebacker and co. In view of his talent, it might be wise to forgive that last run on what was a bottomless track here on May 24. Most impressive winning a trial on June 13. ENGINE ROOM (6) was back to his best self last start. Bred to be a 'Randwick Miler'. FIORSUM FRED (10) and HOPPER (11) have claims in an open race. Bet: Last Command each-way â– â– â– â– â– SALT LAKE CITY (1) was a Listed winner over a mile at Killarney in Ireland before he came down here. He was $151 at his Australian debut in a 1500m Benchmark 100 and clocked in 28 lengths last. Talk about 'being improved for the run', the son of Galileo was a Black Booker out of the Loch Eagle race here on June 7. HOLLYWOOD HERO (2) was sixth in the same race. Has been racing well, should do again. Bet: Salt Lake City each-way â– â– â– â– â– RACE 7: Asahi Super Dry (Bm78) 1000m NOBLE SOLDIER (12) can celebrate his 50th start on the weekend with what would be a ninth career win. He is true to his name; that is, he's an old warhorse who generally runs the same style of race no matter what level he is at. His first-up numbers are very good indeed, one would suspect he gets this run to suit. This is not beyond him. That said, he takes on some really fit and in-form horses right at the top here but he gets weight off all three of them (racebook order). Bet: Noble Soldier each-way, quinella 3, 12 â– â– â– â– â– The headline writes itself here with Braith Nock on I T'S A KNOCKOUT (11). As for the horse, Dean Watt bought her for $150,000 at the Gold Coast. She's won $227,675 in seven starts and has considerable value as a broodmare being a stakes-placed Dundeel. Excels here, excels fresh. No wonder KING RATEL (7) has raced here in seven of his 19 starts and no wonder two of his three wins are here. When you get as far back but finish as fast as he does, it is just the perfect venue. CAPTAIN AMELIA (9) is running so much better than her '096'. Bet: It's A Knockout each-way, Daily Double 1st Leg 11, 2nd Leg 10 â– â– â– â– â– Going back a while now but having been on WELWAL (2) in the Golden Eagle in 2022, I will always maintain he should have gone home with a medal. Welwal has been with Mick Price and Michael Kent for his last four runs; of course he won the Kevin Heffernan in Melbourne while the last two have been in Sydney. They were 'very good' and 'good' in my book anyway. Poor WILLAIDOW (3) has drawn 10 of 12, 8 of 11, 11 of 16 and now 21 of 22 (minus the scratchings) but even so, it does make it harder than it could have been for an otherwise peerlessly honest racehorse. â– â– â– â– â– Wouldn't be the least bit surprised if James Cummings trains the trifecta or even the First 4. There really isn't much at all between his awesome foursome but just for purposes of not being able to tip a triple dead-heat, I went RAZORS (10) over CONTEMPORARY (1) and PEREILLE (3). The other one is KERGUELEN (19). As for Razors, pardon the easy pun, but he looked sharp in his recent trials and we know he has the 'stamina' to go with it having finished a brave, narrow on-pace second in last year's Queensland Guineas.
News.com.au
06-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Ray Thomas' tips, inside mail for Randwick on Saturday: High hopes for John Sargent-trained Change My Address
Trainer John Sargent has revealed the comical explanation behind the naming of bargain basement buy, Change My Address. 'It means if she can win enough prizemoney I will be changing my address,'' Sargent said. 'If she wins The Everest or something, I will be moving to Vaucluse!' Change My Address, who got her race career off to a winning start at the midweeks, puts her perfect race record on the line in the Precise Air Handicap (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. She banked nearly $60,000 for her Warwick Farm debut win and has given part-owner Sargent a deposit if he is really serious about moving home. All this from a filly Sargent purchased for just $10,000 online. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'I saw her about six weeks before the (Magic Millions) sale and I liked her then,'' Sargent said. 'At the sale, she was one of the later lots and I had already spent my money. 'They wanted $30,000 and she was passed in. Then the stud rang and told us they were putting her online and we got her for $10,000.'' Change My Address, a daughter of Group 1 winner Exceedance, handled the heavy conditions expertly on debut when she defeated her rivals comfortably. But Sargent's filly is rated a $10 chance in early TAB Fixed Odds betting behind topweight Hidden Motive, the $2.60 favourite. Don't get this one lost in the mail! ðŸ'¨ Change My Address wins on debut for @MollyBourke7 and @jsargentracing! @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 21, 2025 • 'This is a stronger field but she is well and can only do what she did at her first start,'' Sargent said. 'We know the heavy track won't bother her.'' Sargent also has promising three-year-old filly Bearings contesting the Consortium Clemenger Handicap (2000m). Bearings scored a good win in very heavy conditions at Newcastle last start but it was not enough for the filly to earn her place in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks and Sargent has lowered his sights to target the Randwick race. It's a win to Bearings in the @goulburnraces opener for @jsargentracing and @jeanvovermeire ðŸ'� — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 28, 2025 • 'I don't think she was right at home on that really heavy track at Newcastle, she couldn't really let down but still got the job done,'' Sargent said. 'This is a nice race for her Saturday, she gets in with a light weight, she has only had the three runs so we will keep her going. 'Now she missed a go in the Oaks there is no rush to go to anything so we will just give her the chance to work through her grades.'' • McEvoy chases slice of history in Queensland Oaks â– â– â– â– â– RANDWICK BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS Race 1: Matima $6-$4.40 Race 2: Engine Room $6-$5, Callistemon $15-$8 Race 3: Changing Colours $8-$5.50, Good Banter $11-$6.50 Race 4: Shropshire Lad $8-$5, Bengal $11-$6.50 including a bet of $1050 e/w at $10/$3.20, Carribean King $15-$8.50 Race 5: Hurstville Zagreb $6-$2.80 with a bet of $1000 e/w at $5/$2.10, Rotagilla $15-$6.50, Duvana $26-$11 Race 6: Federer $3.60-$3.50, Oh Diamond Lil $4.60-$3.90 Race 7: Cool Jakey $3.50-$2.80 with a bet of $2600 at $2.90, Mighty Ulysses $15-$10 Race 8: In Flight $3.50-$3.40, The Novelist $4.60-$4.40, Barber $8-$6.50, Contemporary $15-$10, Kazou $15-$10 Race 9: Whinchat $4.60-$3.80, Accredited $11-$6, Fleetwood $15-$7 Race 10: Gitalong $8-$7, Winning Proposal $15-$8.50 â– â– â– â– â– EARLY QUADDIE Race 3: 2,4,7,8 Race 4: 3,4,6,12 Race 5: 1,8,11,12 Race 6: 6,12,14 QUADDIE Race 7: 3,9,12,15 Race 8: 4,7,8 Race 9: 2,10,11,19 Race 10: 2,4,6,10 â– â– â– â– â– PRICE CHECK HURSTVILLE ZAGREB (Race 5 No.1) has firmed from $6 to $2.80 favouritism after consistent support all week including a bet of $1000 each way at $5/$2.10. But Hurstville Zagreb isn't the only well-backed runner in this race with ROTAGILLA (5) 's odds slashed from $15 to $6.50, while DUVANA (3) opened at $26 and is into $11. A winning debut for Hurstville Zagreb at Goulburn! @JohnOSheaRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 11, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– SECTIONAL STARS ELIVINA (Race 5 No.14) ran on very well when fourth to runaway winner Let's Fly at Randwick in very heavy conditions. The lightly-raced filly was timed to run her final 600m in 37.24s, one of the best of the meeting, and she broke 13s for her closing 200m split. ✈ï¸� Let's Fly makes a mess of them all at Randwick! @NockBraith | @R1CHARDFREEDMAN | @willfreedman — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 TESTATOR SILENS (Race 9 No.19) is an emergency but if he gets a run, he's a good each way chance. He has been improved by two runs from a spell including his last start effort at Randwick when he made good ground late behind Storm The Ramparts to finish sixth over 1000m, recording a closing 600m sectional of 35.72s the second fastest of the meeting in very heavy conditions. His final 200m split of 12.47s was the fastest on the day. Storm The Ramparts leads from start to finish and wins at Randwick! ðŸ'Œ Hippo gets his double! ✌ï¸� @PrideRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– TRIAL POINTERS CENTRAL COAST (Race 1 No.7) is a superbly bred colt by sire sensation Wootton Bassett out of triple Group 1 winner Sunlight who cost $1.4 million at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale last year. Trainer Chris Waller has given the equine blueblood plenty of time and the colt has had two barrier trials to prepare for his debut. Central Coast impressed in his recent trial when he settled behind the leaders, eased off heels to get out wider in the straight and closed off nicely to finish a half length second. All eyes on the runner-up: 2nd trial for 2nd foal of Sunlight - Central Coast (2c Wootton Bassett x Sunlight) $1.4mil buy foor @PMBRacing & Catherine Bruggeman from @CoolmoreAus at @inglis_sales Easter. 1st - Albany Road (2c Exceed And Excel x Miss Toorak Flyer) 650k buy for… — Breednet (@BreednetNews) May 29, 2025 FEDERER (Race 6 No.14) showed considerable promise in his debut preparation last spring, winning his first start by nearly four lengths at Ballarat then romping home by six lengths at Sandown. He failed at Caulfield and was spelled. The four-year-old by champion Arrowfield Stud sire Dundeel out of Caulfield Cup winner Jameka has had two barrier trials in recent weeks, improving noticeably in his Warwick Farm heat on May 26 when he finishing strongly for a close second. "I said if this horse gets beat at his first start, I'm going to give up training." It's fair to say Declan Maher has a good opinion of Federer ðŸ'' @cmaherracing — (@Racing) August 8, 2024 â– â– â– â– â– BEST BET HIDDEN MOTIVE (Race 1 No.1) came off minor placings in strong two-year-old form races with a dominant win at Hawkesbury last start. Hidden Motive settled on speed but was kept under a tight hold before he cruised to the front at the 300m and raced away to win by nearly four lengths. His winning margin could have been doubled if his rider put the colt under more pressure. Promising two-year-old who handled soft 7 conditions well last start, he is drawn to get all the favours and should be too good for his rivals. The Private Harry connection of trainer @NathanDoyle015, syndicator Sean Driver and jockey @AshMorgan6 will combine with another boom young sprinter Hidden Motive at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Story: @RayThomas_1 ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 5, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– VALUE CONVERGENT (Race 2 No.10) is a rising five-year-old who only made his debut on Anzac Day where he settled a clear last in a small field, went wide on the turn, and reeled in his rivals to score an impressive win. He has had a barrier trial between runs but has been kept fresh for this 1500m race. Emerging stayer and although he is eligible for easier races, he's good each way value at $12.
News.com.au
23-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer John Sargent aiming to again win Randwick staying feature with Casual Connection
Trainer John Sargent is ready to go back to the future with Casual Connection in the PF Civil Handicap (2400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Casual Connection, a resolute stayer who revels on wet tracks, won this race 12 months ago to earn his chance in the Brisbane Cup. But a firm Eagle Farm track meant Sargent's stayer struggled when only eighth in the Group 2 race, won by the Bjorn Baker -trained Alegron. Sargent hasn't ruled out giving Casual Connection another crack at a Brisbane Cup but the trainer has heeded the lessons from last year. 'I will only run him in the Brisbane Cup if he gets a wet track,'' Sargent said. 'This horse loves it soft or heavy so Randwick on Saturday will be ideal for him.'' Sargent was also buoyed by the barrier draw which has Casual Connection out in gate 15 but he will come in a few barriers after scratchings as the field size is restricted to 13 starters. 'Casual Connection has drawn the rails barrier his last two starts which doesn't suit him,'' the trainer said. 'He is the type of stayer that needs to get his momentum going and make a long, sustained run. 'He's not a sit-and-sprint type so the wider barrier will give him enough room.'' Casual Connection is at $12 and stablemate So Dazzling $19 with TAB Fixed Odds for the Randwick staying race in which the Chris Waller -trained Ahuriri is the $3.80 favourite. So Dazzling has had two runs back from a spell and Sargent is expecting a more competitive run now the mare gets onto her preferred heavy track surface. Sargent is also considering a Brisbane carnival campaign for three-year-old filly Bearings if she runs well in the Chalouhi Handicap (1800m). Bearings is also entered for a race at Newcastle on Saturday but the trainer confirmed she would start at Randwick in a bid to increase her rating enough to get into the Queensland Oaks field next month. 'If Bearings can win at Randwick we will take her up for the Oaks,'' Sargent said. 'She won her maiden at Goulburn then we had to go back from a wide draw at Kensington but she got home strongly. She's a promising staying filly.''
