Jockeys are always looking to the horse that can take them to the top heading into spring, and Jason Collett believes Sires Produce Stakes winner Manaal is that horse.
Collett stills wonder how close Manaal would have got to Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot from a decent draw, where she powered through the line in fifth before winning the Sires with a lunge to beat Traffic Warden.
Jason Collett celebrates Sires Produce Stakes victory on Manaal.Credit: Getty
That win means she will carry a three-kilogram penalty on her return under the conditions of the Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick tomorrow, but that doesn’t worry Collett because of the changes he has seen in Manaal.
“She has come back and improved in the ways you want,” Collett said. “She was at the top of those big races as a two-year-old, and I can only see her being very competitive again.
“I don’t think the penalty is going to stop her because she has filled out so well.”
Collett won a barrier trial on Manaal ahead of Australian Guineas winner Southport Tycoon a couple of weeks ago, and he is confident that she will have a big spring.
“Her trial the other day was perfect, and she has a good draw to get the right run on Saturday,” he said. “I feel she has grown into her frame a bit more, and I always thought she had room to be better physically.
“The talent was there; look at her results. I believe she could have been right in the finish if we didn’t have to go back from the wide gate in the Golden Slipper, and she was strongest late in the Sires.
“It is about growth and improvement from two to three, and she’s ticked that box. It will be interesting to see what she can do this spring.”
Manal has been backed from $2.50 into $2.70 despite giving the other 12 fillies in the Silver Shadow weight, and Collett thinks she will develop in the Princess Series as the trip extends to the mile.
“She is going to get better with every run, and I think she will like getting out a bit more in trip,” he said. “I know she was unplaced in the Champagne, but that was a very heavy track and I always thought she would get the mile.”
The respect Manaal holds is shown in betting for the Flight Stakes, which is the finale of the Princess Series over the Randwick mile on October 5. She is the $3.50 early favourite in front of last week’s impressive debut winner Autumn Glow at $4.50.
Collett has a good book of rides at Randwick, including Detontator Jack in the Winx Stakes, Encap in the Show County Quality, and Kimochi in the Toy Show Quality.
“Encap was very good in a trial and he has a good draw on Saturday,” Collett said. “He is the sort of horse that could really step up this spring because he has never had the best of luck in his races.”
Maybe Collett’s most important ride will be for his father Richard on Super Strike in the Premier’s Cup.
“He is going really well, and it would be great if we can cause a bit of surprise in this race,” Collett said.
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