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Collett laps up Bluestone opportunity

3 minute read

Alysha Collett is hoping her 100% record with Bluestone will keep going this Friday.

Bluestone winning the NOVICE
Bluestone winning the NOVICE Picture: Singapore Turf Club

The New Zealand jockey certainly has fond memories of the only time she partnered the Cliff Brown-trained galloper in a Novice race over 1200m at his first contest as a three-year-old on August 9, 2019.

The son of Hallowed Crown then handed Collett her first Singapore win since returning to Kranji after a back injury-induced time on the sidelines following a race fall from Drone in October 2018.

Collett has seldom jumped back on Bluestone since, but did trial him once, two weeks before he made an impressive winning comeback under Michael Rodd in a Class 4 race (1200m) on February 1.

With Bluestone  down in the weights on 53kgs in Friday night's $70,000 Class 3 race over 1400m, Collett was not too surprised to get the call-up from the Brown camp. Stable jockey Rodd can't make that weight and will be riding stablemate Filibuster (56kgs) instead.

"Bluestone is running against stronger company, but he has a lot of ability. He also has a light weight and a nice enough barrier (eight, with a chance to drop to six with two EA's drawn on his inside) to contend with," said Collett.

"He was the horse who gave me my first winner at my riding comeback here last year. It'll be interesting to see how he has come along since.

"I remember I rode him in a trial then, but he was quite fat and a lot more relaxed. He shows more speed in his barrier trials now, but not so much in his races, I was told.

"But I've seen his last win and he ran through the line very well, so I'm not too worried about where he settles.

"It'll be his first time over 1400m, and hopefully, with a bit of speed in the race, he should be able to get a nice trip in transit."

Nothing longer-term has been tabled yet, but Collett, whose season has recently gathered steam with three winners in the last two weeks spiking her score to four, is hoping this is not just a one-off lightweight job on Bluestone.

"Michael can't ride him at that weight and will ride Filibuster instead. It's a good opportunity for me to get back on Bluestone," said Collett.

"There were no talks about future rides, even if I know Michael will stay with Inferno when the 3YO races come up.

"I'm not tied down to any ride for the 3YO races at present, but if I can stay on Bluestone, it'd be great, but let's just take it one ride at a time."

The Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge has for the first time been moved to a later period this year - June to July instead of April to May. It begins with the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on June 13, through to the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) on July 4 before wrapping up with the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) on July 26.


Singapore Turf Club

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