By Craig Kerry
Alysha Collett gave Chris Waller-trained Waterford a stellar ride to claim her biggest cheque as a jockey in the $500,000 The Lakes (1600m) and complete a city double at Wyong on Saturday.
Collett put Waterford, a $9 Sportsbet hope, into a gun one-one position from gate 11 and gave him a clear sight in the straight, where he ran down favourite Robusto for a half-length win.
Alysha Collett riding Waterford, centre, to victory in The Lakes at Wyong on Saturday.Credit: Getty Images
The New Zealander, the younger sister of established Sydney hoop Jason Collett, is a group 1 winner in her homeland and has become a top provincial jockey in NSW, but she scored her first city winner of the season just a week ago at Randwick.
The 30-year-old, who earlier took Joe Pride-trained Bullets High to victory at Wyong, has won stakes races in Australia but none with prizemoney like the inaugural The Lakes.
“It’s just nice to get opportunities in these races and do the job obviously for people like Chris Waller,” Collett said.
Alysha Collett salutes on Waterford.Credit: Getty Images
“He’s been fantastic for my apprenticeship when I was over here and it’s just nice to get the win for him.
“It’s just all about being consistent and keep improving as a jockey.”
Davies repays faith
English jockey Harry Davies was thankful for the faith of trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald after breaking through for his first win in Australia with his 30th ride on Saturday at Wyong.
The 20-year-old, who has had 178 winners at home, including multi stakes victories up to group 2 level, led on first-starter Kujenga in the 1200m two-year-olds race.
The $11 Sportsbet chance held on by a head from the fast-finishing Damien. Davies, who is halfway through a first two-month stint in Australia, had five placings from 29 rides before Saturday.
“It’s taken a bit of time, but it’s here now and I’m delighted to have done it,” Davies said.
“We’ve been hitting the crossbar, but when it’s like that it’s just a matter of time and you just have to trust what you’re doing.
“Annabel and Rob have kept their faith, which I’m so thankful for because there’s been times where they haven’t had a winner and I’ve had quite a good book of rides.”
Freedmans get one for Sam
An emotional Richard Freedman had mixed feelings after Magnatear won his first race since the death of his former trainer, Sam Kavanagh.
Magnatear, run down by Emmadella in a Midway Handicap two weeks earlier at Randwick, held on narrowly from Aix En Provence in the same grade at Wyong.
The five-year-old came to Richard and Will Freedman after Kavanagh lost his battle with cancer at age 38 on December 14.
“It’s sort of mixed feelings,” Richard said. “It’s nice that that horse was able to win, but I miss Sam.
“It’s just lovely to win with that horse, and I’m particularly pleased for [Kavanagh’s partner] Kelly [Fawcett] and the family.
“But we miss Sam and I’d rather Sam had been here unsaddling this horse.
“When Sam knew the end was near, I think he sort of directed horses where he thought they should go, and I’m just so pleased that this one came in great condition from him and we’ve kept him going.”
Sam Kavanagh lost his long battle with cancer last month.Credit: Getty Images
The win was also special for Welsh jockey Ash Morgan, who said Kavanagh helped him early in his career in NSW.
“I copped my fair share of sprays off Sam for this horse, so I’m sure he’ll be up their laughing and he’d be delighted,” Morgan said.
Morgan grabbed a double when taking Bjorn Baker-trained Sandpaper to victory in the ninth. Baker also won with Bonita Queen.
Rain stalls Magic Millions
The Magic Millions meeting on the Gold Coast was halted after three races on Saturday and the rest of the program postponed until next Friday night after strong storms hit the already heavy track.
Queen on the rise
Jockey Adam Hyeronimus expects Bonita Queen to progress to stakes grade after she led and won first-up at Wyong on Saturday despite racing greenly.
After two wins and two seconds in four benchmark grade starts last preparation, the Bjorn Baker-trained four-year-old resumed with a three-quarters of a length victory in 1100m 78 fillies and mares grade.
“She trialled well. I expected her to win today,” Hyeronimus said.
“She was a little bit fresh and wanted to get on with it a bit today. It will be a different horse next start.
“Every preparation she’s improved, which has been very nice, in her mannerisms and whatnot. She was obviously a sharp filly, but after today’s run she’ll be a lot more relaxed, but I think she can get to stakes grade.”
Pride pair on the way up
Trainer Joe Pride will head to the Australia Day Cup on January 27 with Bullets High and he expects Headley Grange to win better races after the pair gave him a double at Wyong.
Headley Grange bucked the trend of leaders winning, coming around the field in the 1300m benchmark 72 to claim his first Saturday city victory by a half-length.
Bullets High then raced on speed and hung on late to break a run of close losses in the 2100m benchmark 88.
“He’s a little ripper,” Pride said of Headley Grange, which now has five wins and five placings in 13 starts.
“And I’m sure that’s not the best race he’s going to win.
“He was sold to Hong Kong as a three-year-old, but failed the vet so I can thank them for that.”
Hyeronimus won on Headley Grange to complete a double.
