By Craig Kerry
Jason Collett believes a favourable draw will give Fangirl every chance to again topple Via Sistina and Ceolwulf if the $1 million group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) is run to a suitable tempo on Saturday at Randwick.
Fangirl sprinted well for Collett from the 300m mark in the group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) two weeks ago to run down Chris Waller-trained stablemate Lindermann by a length and pinch a winning break on Via Sistina and Ceolwulf, which both finished well to fill out the first four.
Jason Collett rides Fangirl to victory in the Apollo Stakes at Randwick.Credit: Getty Images
With gate five on Saturday, Fangirl is again drawn to race in front of Via Sistina and Ceolwulf, which have the outside barriers.
Waller’s Cox Plate winner Via Sistina ($1.90 Sportsbet) is again favourite, given the rise to 1600m, but Fangirl ($3.40) also has fine credentials at the mile, including finishing second twice in this race.
“She’s drawn underneath the other two main chances, and if I can be ahead of them, that would be good,” Collett said.
“And the field looks similar to last time. A small field, and there may not be great pressure in the race. As Chris [Waller] has said, a softer run mile would suit her, as opposed to a strong, hard-run mile, which would play more into the hands of Via and Ceolwulf.”
Joe Pride-trained Ceolwulf was a $5.50 third pick, but he will need to pass a veterinary check in the morning. Pride notified stewards on Friday that Ceolwulf had an abrasion to his off-hind cannon bone but was showing no signs of lameness.
Collett, meanwhile, is happy to be on Rivellino, rather than chasing him, after adding the Kris Lees-trained colt to his rides on Saturday.
He was aboard the previously unbeaten Bjorn Baker-trained Within The Law when she finished a half-length second to James McDonald-ridden Rivellino as both made swooping runs in the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) on February 8 at Randwick.
Now Collett has the ride on both in key Golden Slipper group 2 lead-ups. Within The Law races in the Sweet Embrace Stakes for the fillies, while Rivellino is in the Skyline Stakes, and again, both have wide draws to overcome.
“Within The Law was fantastic, she had to come back from behind Rivellino and she was strong late, so I’d suggest the 1200 won’t be an issue,” Collett said.
“Rivellino is probably in the same boat there. He’s drawn awkward again. But they are both winners, and I like them.
“I galloped Within The Law on Tuesday, and her work was good. She’s not usually an impressive track-worker or trialler. She just seems to save it for raceday, but I was pretty happy with her work Tuesday.”
Collett rides Olentia ($5, Guy Walter Stakes) for Waller and Michael Freedman’s Manaal ($19, Surround Stakes) from wide draws in other features.
“She looks like she’s looking for the 1400 and I really liked her first-up run,” he said of Olentia. “It was obviously suited to the on-speeders and she wasn’t far off them at the finish. But her second-up record is not attractive.
“Manaal’s work on Tuesday was far better. We were really happy with that. She’s back on track, but I was hoping for a better barrier. It will make the job more difficult, especially with the favoured runners drawn in.”
