Merry Christmas from the Collett Racing Team
With the early part of December producing a number of place getters we are aiming to pick up a win or two over the busy Christmas racing period.
Top Prospect is looking to be our best chance on Boxing Day. He will line up in the 1500m Dunstan Final. His previous third placing at Ellerslie earlier in the month over 1400m was a decent run. This Friday he will have a 1000m gallop at Ellerslie to top off his preparation. With Alysha again suspended he will be ridden by our son in law Andrew Calder who is home from Macau briefly for Xmas, along with Tasha and their twin boys Tye & Jax.
Also likely to start in the Dunstan Final is Cinematic who went a lovely race to finish second over 1400m last Sunday. This is the horse Alysha was suspended on for going to the front and ‘easing the speed’. She is the first jockey to be found guilty of this charge which has now set a precedence for future racing. 1500m will be an interesting distance for Cinematic who has ample pace and a short sprint.
On the middle day at Ellerslie we could be represented by a number of runners. Selfie finished a brave third at Te Rapa last Saturday struggling to let down on the very firm surface. He is still racing honestly and has been earmarked for R85 1200m while Hvar will step out in a 1600m maiden. His debut for fifth placing at Counties over 1400m early in December was the run of an improver over more ground. The leggy Zed gelding will keep improving as he gets stronger towards the autumn.
Tiger Silk and Massachusetts (Ferlax – Boston Symphony) are two fillies we have trialled recently and the pair will also have a gallop at Ellerslie on Friday to give them the needed experience on the track. One or both will be entered for a 2yo maiden over 1200m on Friday 29th. These are the only 2yos we have trialled to date and both have plenty of potential.
The stable will venture to Taupo on 30th December with Artic Storm and Moki. Artic Storm will be better for a recent trial at Te Aroha and will race in a fresh state over 1200m. Moki who has done all his racing to date in NSW will make his New Zealand debut over either 1000 or 1200m. We expect the four year old Testa Rossa gelding to be better suited to left handed tracks.
We are looking forward to Alternative Fact stepping out in the Royal Stakes at Ellerslie over 2000m on New Year’s Day after going a tidy race for fourth at Ellerslie last Sunday against the boys in listed company. The filly is a good stayer and any rain on the day would make her a strong chance.
Time Lord had a minor setback following his 1400m win at Avondale and will benefit from a gallop in company at Ellerslie on Friday. He has a couple of race options on New Year’s Day being eligible for the special conditions maiden over 1400m or the Great Northern Guineas for 3yos over 1600m. The promising Guillotine gelding continues to strengthen as he progresses through this preparation.
Swissta will be the stables final starter on New Years Day in the R75 1600m which like all races on the day has a generous stake of $50K. He was poor at Te Rapa last Saturday on a very firm surface however back in grade and on a better prepared surface where he has raced well previously we expect him to run well.
One big defection from our runners over the next fortnight is Untamed Diamond, she coughed following a gallop last Saturday and after scoping was found to have a throat infection. We have opted to bypass the Railway and focus on the Concorde on Karaka Millions Day later in January.
Azaboy has overcome a foot issue and is close to racing again after a tidy fresh up effort at Avondale in November. He will line up early in the New Year. Confederacy is also getting close to race day fitness and has strengthened considerably during his enforced spell with a pulled muscle.
A number of horses have spelled in recent weeks Gutsy Gussie (Any Suggestion – Southern Touch) was shin sore following a 1200m trial at Te Aroha as was Braced (Postponed – Strengthened) who was professional in his debut trial over 1000m.
Gottagetmywoohoo has been spelled after not appreciated the firmer tracks and we are looking forward to the autumn with him as he could be our first runner over hurdles for quite a few years. He has looked good when schooling and is a good stayer. Ventura is also continuing to spell to give her front foot which she has had issues with grow out. She will re-join the team in February.
Lupelani has been retired to stud after running some honest races but struggling on the firm ground.
The unnamed 3yo Duke of Marmalade – Midnight Senorita filly has made good progress in her first serious preparation and could have a jump out locally in January. She has been joined by the recently broken in 2yo filly by Rip Van Winkle – Mary Agnes. This leggy laid back filly is a half-sister to both City Boy & Time Lord. She will do a few weeks in the stable before have a break.
This week we resumed with three promising 2yos who have spelled well over the past six weeks and will progress through to racing in the autumn. The Swiss Ace- Musically gelding has furnished nicely during his break as has the Swiss Ace- Uberfrau filly and Sepella (Sepoy Wowee)
Finally Mercy Hill has also resumed training after a month off. She had been coming to hand nicely after trialling well at Ruakaka late in October before suffering a setback.
Top Prospect is looking to be our best chance on Boxing Day. He will line up in the 1500m Dunstan Final. His previous third placing at Ellerslie earlier in the month over 1400m was a decent run. This Friday he will have a 1000m gallop at Ellerslie to top off his preparation. With Alysha again suspended he will be ridden by our son in law Andrew Calder who is home from Macau briefly for Xmas, along with Tasha and their twin boys Tye & Jax.
Also likely to start in the Dunstan Final is Cinematic who went a lovely race to finish second over 1400m last Sunday. This is the horse Alysha was suspended on for going to the front and ‘easing the speed’. She is the first jockey to be found guilty of this charge which has now set a precedence for future racing. 1500m will be an interesting distance for Cinematic who has ample pace and a short sprint.
On the middle day at Ellerslie we could be represented by a number of runners. Selfie finished a brave third at Te Rapa last Saturday struggling to let down on the very firm surface. He is still racing honestly and has been earmarked for R85 1200m while Hvar will step out in a 1600m maiden. His debut for fifth placing at Counties over 1400m early in December was the run of an improver over more ground. The leggy Zed gelding will keep improving as he gets stronger towards the autumn.
Tiger Silk and Massachusetts (Ferlax – Boston Symphony) are two fillies we have trialled recently and the pair will also have a gallop at Ellerslie on Friday to give them the needed experience on the track. One or both will be entered for a 2yo maiden over 1200m on Friday 29th. These are the only 2yos we have trialled to date and both have plenty of potential.
The stable will venture to Taupo on 30th December with Artic Storm and Moki. Artic Storm will be better for a recent trial at Te Aroha and will race in a fresh state over 1200m. Moki who has done all his racing to date in NSW will make his New Zealand debut over either 1000 or 1200m. We expect the four year old Testa Rossa gelding to be better suited to left handed tracks.
We are looking forward to Alternative Fact stepping out in the Royal Stakes at Ellerslie over 2000m on New Year’s Day after going a tidy race for fourth at Ellerslie last Sunday against the boys in listed company. The filly is a good stayer and any rain on the day would make her a strong chance.
Time Lord had a minor setback following his 1400m win at Avondale and will benefit from a gallop in company at Ellerslie on Friday. He has a couple of race options on New Year’s Day being eligible for the special conditions maiden over 1400m or the Great Northern Guineas for 3yos over 1600m. The promising Guillotine gelding continues to strengthen as he progresses through this preparation.
Swissta will be the stables final starter on New Years Day in the R75 1600m which like all races on the day has a generous stake of $50K. He was poor at Te Rapa last Saturday on a very firm surface however back in grade and on a better prepared surface where he has raced well previously we expect him to run well.
One big defection from our runners over the next fortnight is Untamed Diamond, she coughed following a gallop last Saturday and after scoping was found to have a throat infection. We have opted to bypass the Railway and focus on the Concorde on Karaka Millions Day later in January.
Azaboy has overcome a foot issue and is close to racing again after a tidy fresh up effort at Avondale in November. He will line up early in the New Year. Confederacy is also getting close to race day fitness and has strengthened considerably during his enforced spell with a pulled muscle.
A number of horses have spelled in recent weeks Gutsy Gussie (Any Suggestion – Southern Touch) was shin sore following a 1200m trial at Te Aroha as was Braced (Postponed – Strengthened) who was professional in his debut trial over 1000m.
Gottagetmywoohoo has been spelled after not appreciated the firmer tracks and we are looking forward to the autumn with him as he could be our first runner over hurdles for quite a few years. He has looked good when schooling and is a good stayer. Ventura is also continuing to spell to give her front foot which she has had issues with grow out. She will re-join the team in February.
Lupelani has been retired to stud after running some honest races but struggling on the firm ground.
The unnamed 3yo Duke of Marmalade – Midnight Senorita filly has made good progress in her first serious preparation and could have a jump out locally in January. She has been joined by the recently broken in 2yo filly by Rip Van Winkle – Mary Agnes. This leggy laid back filly is a half-sister to both City Boy & Time Lord. She will do a few weeks in the stable before have a break.
This week we resumed with three promising 2yos who have spelled well over the past six weeks and will progress through to racing in the autumn. The Swiss Ace- Musically gelding has furnished nicely during his break as has the Swiss Ace- Uberfrau filly and Sepella (Sepoy Wowee)
Finally Mercy Hill has also resumed training after a month off. She had been coming to hand nicely after trialling well at Ruakaka late in October before suffering a setback.
