Danny Williams has been pleasantly surprised by the progress of lightly-raced stayer Court Connection who goes in search of a breakthrough city win at Randwick on Wednesday.The four-year-old son of Lonhro has had an unorthodox preparation stepping sharply in distances in his first three outings, including a last start Class Two win over 2000m at Canberra.The gelding stretches out in journey again in the Malabar Handicap (2400m) on the Kensington track with Sydney's leading apprentice Josh Adams
Danny Williams has been pleasantly surprised by the progress of lightly-raced stayer Court Connection who goes in search of a breakthrough city win at Randwick on Wednesday.
The four-year-old son of Lonhro has had an unorthodox preparation stepping sharply in distances in his first three outings, including a last start Class Two win over 2000m at Canberra.
The gelding stretches out in journey again in the Malabar Handicap (2400m) on the Kensington track with Sydney's leading apprentice Josh Adams in the saddle.
"I never had too much of an opinion on him but every time we've put him down he just seems to have raced very well and is taking each step," Williams said.
"He's definitely surprised me."
Court Connection had his first trial in early November before the Goulburn-based Williams took him to Wagga Wagga later that month where he finished an encouraging second over 1000m in a maiden.
"He was very dour and green and we sent him to Wagga and didn't give him much chance, but the horse surprised how well he got to the line," Williams said.
"There wasn't a lot available for him at the time so we took him to Randwick, put him in a maiden (over 1400m) there at his next start and he ground away well (for fifth) and gave us the impression he was looking for further.
"We stepped him up again (to 2000m) at Canberra and he's taking every step quite well."
Williams plans to give Court Connection a freshen-up after Wednesday's race but as yet he hasn't planned too far ahead with the improving stayer.
"I guess we'll reassess when we see what happens tomorrow," Williams said.
"My opinion at this stage is to back off him and give him a break after tomorrow, he's still learning."
TAB Sportsbet made Court Connection a $3.40 favourite when betting opened.
The midweek meeting will also see the return of stakes-placed three-year-old Sea Lord in the Little Bay Handicap (1300m).
The David Payne-trained Street Cry colt,who finished third in the Group Three Up And Coming Stakes (1200m) behind Blackball and Buffering in August, is dropping back to maiden grade having raced in stakes company in his past three starts before a spell.