Apprentice Jason Collett is aiming for his first Australian stakes victory on Saturday when he reunites with Roi D’Jeu.
The 19-year-old, who is unbeaten on the New Zealand stayer, is in Sydney on a three-month loan to premiership leader Chris Waller.
He will ride the Craig Ritchie-trained Roi D’Jeu for the first time since October in the Listed WJ McKell Cup (2400m) at Rosehill.
Collett believes the stayer, who is at $10 in a wide-open market, is up to matching it with the Sydneysiders in the off-season feature.
“I have ridden him twice before in New Zealand for two wins back in October,” Collett said.
“He has improved a lot since then because he was still on the way up at that stage.
“He went onto the New Zealand Cup over two miles (3200m) and ran a close fourth so he does stay.
“He also ended up running favourite in the Auckland Cup (3200m) in March when Craig Williams rode him to finish seventh, but he was only about three lengths from the winner and it was a good run.”
Roi D’Jeu has had two starts since the Auckland Cup, winning the Te Aroha Cup (2200m) on a slow track and then finishing second in the Group Three Rotorua Cup (2200m) on heavy ground.
“I’m looking forward to riding him again on Saturday, especially over the 2400 metres,” Collett said.
“He likes dead to slow tracks but he also goes on top of the ground so he’s pretty versatile.
“It’s not a big field, he’s drawn perfectly in barrier four and hopefully he gets midfield and relaxes and then comes up underneath me so I can pull him into the clear and let him hit the line.”
Collett has also been booked for two rides by Rosehill trainer Tim Martin including debut winner Night Fever in the Camden Hire Handicap (1200m).
The apprentice won on the Martin-trained Cindarockinrella at Scone last Saturday and the trainer has been impressed with his skill in the saddle.
“He rides very well and I had no hesitation in putting him on,” Martin said.
“I had heard about him (when Collett was riding in New Zealand) and since he’s been here I’ve watched him on some of Chris Waller’s horses and he’s been riding them well and putting horses in positions to win.”
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