One dream drives Collett

Jockey sets sights on big race breakthrough

AS AUSTRALIANS head to the polls, top jockey Jason Collett is hoping it’s a ballot of a different kind that is responsible for landing him a maiden Group 1 win in today’s $700,000 Doomben Cup.

Collett partners hot fancy Life Less Ordinary after the pair romped to success in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast a fortnight ago.

That was his first ride on the Chris Waller-trained gelding, which only came about after two bouts of good fortune.

“My first ride Fierce Impact was fourth on the ballot,” he said. “At nomination time it looked touch and go if he would make the field and we got offered the ride on Plein Ciel. He ended up three on the ballot. This ride (Life Less Ordinary) came up after that and I ended up on it.

“It’s a real racing story of how anything can happen.”

Collett didn’t hesitate to lock himself in for the Doomben Cup ride on Life Less Ordinary, even though Fierce Impact was still being aimed that way.

“After the Hollindale run, that cemented that I wanted to stick with him in the Doomben Cup,” he said.

Collett has established himself in the top ranks of Sydney jockeys by winning more than 850 races and prizemoney in excess of $40 million in the last decade. His wins include 78 stakes races, but none of them at Group 1 level. He has placed 15 times in Group 1s (including three in New Zealand), with half of the Australian dozen coming in the past 13 months.

Most recently Spright and Frankely Awesome have lifted the tally, but while he admits it will be special when it happens, it’s not something that is keeping the jockey up at night.

“There’s plenty of placings, but I guess you could say I’m getting closer,” he said.

“I’m more confident in these races and I’m getting more comfortable, which I’m happy about. When I first moved here I thought it would come a lot quicker, but when it comes it comes and I’m not too fussed.”