Xpression has X-factor in Guineas
A Group One has eluded Sam Collett so far but this could be her day at Riccarton
If today’s group one gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton comes down to a match of the minds, then Hastings filly Xpression and champion rider Samantha Collett are the ones to beat.
While 28-year-old Collett has yet to win at group one level, she has developed into one of the country’s most determined and self-assured riders, the result of which saw her claim her first national jockeys’ premiership last season.
There’s an air of confidence about her that was lacking even three or four seasons ago and with that has come the courage to back her judgment, to not second guess her tactical decision-making, and it has added a dynamic edge to her riding.
In 2016, she rode a career-best 56 winners. The following season it was 80. And last season 132, her stakes earnings surpassing $2.5 million, more than double her previous best tally.
“I’ve developed the mentality of a winner,” Collett says.
“Riding horses like Xpression gives me a huge amount of confidence too. There’s no nerves when I get on her back. I’m going out there with the confidence to give her the best possible ride and as long as I’ve given her the best chance of success, then I’ve done my job.”
But what’s also giving Collett confidence is Xpression herself. There’s an X-factor about the Showcasing filly that extends more than just her name. This filly reminds Collett of Princess Coup, the star performer of Te Akau Racing Stables when she was apprenticed there some 10 years ago.
“What makes her so special is her mentality for racing. As an apprentice, I did a bit of work with Princess Coup and she’s a lot like her. They’ve just got that attitude. They just know what they are there for and have that real bit of confidence about themselves.”
Princess Coup won the Listed Ray Coupland Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton in 2006 but could only manage second to Dorabella in the 1000 Guineas before going on to a glittering career, winning four group one races and placing in a host of top races in Australia.
The Guy Lowry and Grant Cullentrained Xpression was a commanding two-length winner of the same Ashburton race, now named the Barneswood Farm Stakes and run at group three level, and looks poised to go one-up on Princess Coup.
Since her Barneswood Farm Stakes win, Xpression has had just one public appearance, a trial at Motukarara last week in which she settled off the pace and zipped home to score handsomely, a compelling Guineas trial. In the saddle was Collett, who flew down especially for the ride, forgoing rides at the Otaki race meeting and the Cambridge trials the same day.
“I had tried to convince Guy and Grant to give her an exhibition gallop between races or something like that but they wanted to trial her and after riding her it was definitely the right call,” Collett says.
“She actually needed the run. The
900m was a bit short but she showed she’s improved and that she’s thriving. I actually think she’s got gears we haven’t yet tapped into.”
Collett has more than 8165 rides under her belt, 463 of them in stakes races. She reckons about 40 of those have been in group one races but success at racing’s elite level has so far eluded her.
She came close when Packing Eagle was beaten a head by Start Wondering in the BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa in February but she feels the times is right now.
“I haven’t had a whole lot of opportunities on the right type of horses in these races up till now,” she says.
“It would mean so much to me. Probably more than winning the premiership. It means a lot to me to be the only person who has ridden her, right from the first time she stepped out on raceday to this point. It’s hard to get rides on these types of horses but I’ve stuck with her right through and I know her so well.
“Guy and Grant are incredibly easy people to ride for and they do a great job with their horses.”
TAB bookmakers opened Xpression as a $2.30 favourite for the
1000 Guineas ahead of Melt at $3 and Media Sensation at $5.20.
She has drawn a potentially sticky barrier 2, one inside Melt, but Collett counts that as a positive as the filly steps up to 1600m for the first time.
“The cosy draw helps me. She’s got to run the mile and while I don’t think she’ll have any problem, the good barrier helps,” Collett said. “We’ve ridden her quietly on the way through and got her to settle because this has always been the big goal. I don’t think I’ll have a problem getting out.”
Collett, whose parents Jim Collett and Trudy Thornton are accomplished group one jockeys, rides third favourite Major Tom in the group three Christchurch Casino NZ Cup (3200m) on what could turn out to be a day that forever sticks in her mind.