Sydney jockey Jason Collett has an appetite for more Group 1 success after breakout year
Collett, one of racing's quiet achievers, has been riding in Sydney for the past decade but there's a sense the Kiwi-born hoop is riding as well as ever.
This week alone, the 34-year-old has ridden seven city winners – headlined by a four-timer at Royal Randwick last Saturday.
It helped cement Collett's best-ever finish in the Sydney jockeys' premiership, a second behind James McDonald, with a new career benchmark of 74 city winners for the campaign.
Add in his biggest ever Group 1 triumph aboard Stefi Magnetica in the Doncaster Mile in the autumn and a career-best 18 stakes winners, it's easy to see why now more than ever Collett is considered among Sydney's elite.
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Behind it all remains a laid-back and calm demeanour with an insatiable appetite for more.
'I want more Group 1s,' Collett said.
'I want bigger race wins and those stakes wins help lead to that.
'That's what you need. To get on more of those better horses in those better races but it's evolving nicely.'
Collett is quick to identify Stefi Magnetica and Group 1 Champagne Stakes runner-up Within The Law as two of those 'better horses'.
Just this week, he got the chance to jump back aboard Within The Law as the Bjorn Baker-trained filly had her first trial this preparation at Rosehill Gardens on Tuesday.
Baker has aspirations of aiming Within The Law at Sydney's Princess Series with a Group 1 Flight Stakes tilt on the agenda on October 4 where she is an $8 third elect.
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Within The Law saves her best work for race day with Collett keen to see her back at the races.
'She doesn't show a lot in trials or a lot in trackwork either so there isn't really a great deal to get excited about after a trial,' he said.
'We gave her a nice hitout and she was pushed out, that's the norm with her.
'It would be great to get a Group 1 with her and the Flight Stakes would be the target and we know she will run the mile.
'The 1400m and a mile is going to be her and those early races could potentially be a bit sharp.'
Stefi Magnetica gave both Baker and Collett the biggest wins of their careers when she won the Group 1 Doncaster Mile on Day 1 of The Championships.
Another big spring campaign looms.
'She is going to head towards weight-for-age racing now because she has won two of the biggest handicaps (including the Stradbroke),' Collett said.
'I have no worries she will be able to do it.
'Hopefully she can win another Group 1 now.'
Jason Collett gives the thumbs-up after winning the Doncaster Mile on Stefi Magnetica in April. Pictures: Getty Images
While Group 1s are sweet, Collett has made a habit of making his presence felt on regular occasions in town in recent seasons.
He isn't one to set specific premiership targets at the beginning of a season but the carrot of finishing second in the Sydney title race for the first time added fuel to his late form surge.
A midweek treble at Warwick Farm helped Collett eclipse his previous season best of 72 Sydney winners and edge out Zac Lloyd (67 winners) for the runner-up spot.
'When it got to the last month and a half and I thought I was obviously close enough to Zac, I thought we will try and get second if we can,' Collett said.
'(wife) Clare and I had a family holiday booked in early July but in saying that, as it evolved, I thought if we were close enough it would be good to get.
'As it turned out it ended up being quite comfortable in the end.'
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Collett can pick up where he left off and get the new season off to a flying start aboard the Chris Waller-trained Narbold in the Capitivant @ Kia Ora Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Waller runners will make up half of the field in the opener with Narbold ($4.20) only shaded by Amusing ($2.90 favourite) in betting.
Collett partnered Narbold two starts ago when a close second behind Centenario in a 1550m event at Canterbury before the gelding finishing fourth behind Amusing at the same track and trip last start.
'He just seemed to find one better when he loomed up two starts ago off a good tempo,' Collett said.
'His run last start was good when he was ridden on speed and I think he is better when he's ridden a bit quieter.
'From the barrier he should get a soft run in what looks to be a small field.'
Collett on board another of his big mounts, Within The Law. Picture: Bradley Photos
The Richard and Will Freedman-trained Cold Brew mirrors Collett's hot streak with the emerging talent set to hunt three straight wins in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m).
Cold Brew, a $4.80 chance, has put together victories at Hawkesbury and Newcastle and deserves another crack in town.
'He's in a Midway horses where there is a few older horses there but he's progressive,' Collett said.
'I am looking forward to him.
'The ground will no doubt be a question mark for every horse but he is going well and when I rode him two back he won easily.
'He was tough last start when they got to him and he was a bit green but he is going well.'
• NSW racing in the hands of weather gods
Collett is hopeful King Taurus ($15) can bring his polytrack form to town in the TAB Highway Class 3 Handicap (1200m) while he's happy to wait patiently for the chance to pilot Catch The Glory ($15) late in the card.
The Jason Coyle-trained Catch The Glory ($15) is second-up in the Congratulations Chris Waller Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m).
'I think Catch The Glory is a good ride,' Collett said.
'She was out of her grade last start but had been trialling up really well.
'She is out of Zousain so should handle the wet and I think she is going well this horse.'
Racing is expected to take place on another heavy track in Sydney with rain forecast on Friday and race day.
Few ride wet conditions better than Collett.
'I don't have any secret to it, it's just get them to travel and balance and if they get through it, they get through it,' Collett said.
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