Kay and Collett in combo
Matamata jockey Samantha Collett has established herself as one of New Zealand’s busiest and most successful riders this season.
Collett, 27, is breathing down the neck of the premiership leaders with 79 wins this season and is lying sixth on the ladder behind Chris Johnson, Danielle Johnson, her cousin Alysha Collett and Johnathan Parkes.
Arguably the country’s most travelled jockey, Collett is certainly the busiest and will have ridden in 850 races so far this season by the end of weekend racing.
That’s short of the 924 she competed in last season but still considerably more than any other jockey has racked up.
Her mounts’ stake earnings are up with the best and Collett loves riding winners for her supporters.
‘‘I’m not attached to a big stable,’’ she said from Ashburton on Friday where she had six rides.
‘‘I like travelling and I have to chase the rides and I like to stay loyal to the people who support me whenever I can.’’
At Awapuni today she has a seven-strong book with three rides for Levin trainer Sylvia Kay ‘‘the nicest lady in the world’’.
Kay and Collett have struck up an outstanding partnership in recent times with Saturday’s Open 1400 favourite Dolcetto, the headline act.
They have combined with the son of Per Incanto five times for three wins and two seconds.
Despite his his short $2.40 odds for this $30,000 race, Collett isn’t expecting a walk in the park.
‘‘I think a lot of the horse,’’ she said. ‘‘He’s developed and grown a lot since last spring.
‘‘But it’s a good bunch he meets on Saturday and I would be wrapt if he runs in the first four.’’
Dolcetto has had a freshen-up since his tough winning run at Trentham on May 27.
This week’s well performed opposition includes Longchamp ($7), Gypsy Fair ($4.60) and North And South ($5).
Sylvester ($4.50) gives Collett another top chance for Kay in the Rating 85 over 2100m with She’s Poppy ($4.20) and Zartan ($6) tough opponents.
With two wins and two seconds from four rides on the Road To Rock gelding, Collett is learning to like the horse.
‘‘I thought I was riding a truck and trailer when I first rode him,’’ she said. ‘‘He’s a big, awkward horse but he’s doing well under Sylvia’s patient care.
‘‘He’s going well and is a developing stayer.
Her combination with Kay, who she teams up again in the last with Amarone, is a shining example of the success Collett is enjoying through her hard work and willingness to travel for rides.
She is off on a three week holiday at the end of next week.