Jason Collett heads into the $2 million Inglis Millennium with an important advantage – not only does he have the plum mount on favourite Sejardan, but he has ridden one of the colt’s key rivals.
The top jockey is enjoying an incredible season with 40 city wins and counting, trailing only James Mcdonald in the Sydney premiership.
Among his triumphs was the Inglis Nursery on Victorian raider El Padrino, one of only four other Inglis Millennium (1100m) runners at single-figure odds.
El Padrino impressed Collett as a horse with upside and he has a healthy respect for the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained juvenile, who will be joined in the race by stablemate Boldhino.
“He’s a progressive horse. He was still very raw when he won that race and he still looked a bit raw in his recent trial,” Collett said of El Padrino.
“The stablemates are both nice horses and among five or six chances in the race.”
While Collett has regard for Sejardan’s rivals, he also has an overarching faith in his colt.
So much so that if his calculations are correct, the unbeaten youngster is set to confirm himself as a serious Golden Slipper contender when he launches his autumn at Randwick.
A solid $3.70 favourite for the Inglis Millennium (1100m), Sejardan sits on the third line of Slipper markets at $11 with betting heading by Magic Millions winner Coolangatta.
Collett partnered Snitcat to third in the Magic Millions and taking a line through her, he believes Sejardan might just be the horse to give trainer Gary Portelli his second Golden Slipper.
“I ran third in the Magic Millions on the stablemate, Snitcat,” Collett said.
“She was three lengths off Coolangatta, so if I use that as the benchmark with Coolangatta being favourite for the Golden Slipper, I hold Sejardan a few lengths better than Snitcat, so I think he is a very good (Slipper) chance.”
Sejardan has drawn barrier nine and while he has come from near the tail to win both his starts, Collett says he is not one-dimensional and anticipates him settling midfield on Saturday.
Promising filly Paris Dior is second pick for the Inglis Millennium at $4 with Boldhino ($6), El Padrino ($9.50) and Zambezi River ($9.50) the only other runners under $10.
Jason Collett heads into the $2 million Inglis Millennium with an important advantage – not only does he have the plum mount on favourite Sejardan, but he has ridden one of the colt’s key rivals.
The top jockey is enjoying an incredible season with 40 city wins and counting, trailing only James McDonald in the Sydney premiership.
Among his triumphs was the Inglis Nursery on Victorian raider El Padrino, one of only four other Inglis Millennium (1100m) runners at single-figure odds.
El Padrino impressed Collett as a horse with upside and he has a healthy respect for the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace -trained juvenile, who will be joined in the race by stablemate Boldhino.
“He’s a progressive horse. He was still very raw when he won that race and he still looked a bit raw in his recent trial,” Collett said of El Padrino.
“The stablemates are both nice horses and among five or six chances in the race.”
While Collett has regard for Sejardan’s rivals, he also has an overarching faith in his colt.
So much so that if his calculations are correct, the unbeaten youngster is set to confirm himself as a serious Golden Slipper contender when he launches his autumn at Randwick.
A solid $3.70 favourite for the Inglis Millennium (1100m), Sejardan sits on the third line of Slipper markets at $11 with betting heading by Magic Millions winner Coolangatta.
Collett partnered Snitcat to third in the Magic Millions and taking a line through her, he believes Sejardan might just be the horse to give trainer Gary Portelli his second Golden Slipper.
“I ran third in the Magic Millions on the stablemate, Snitcat,” Collett said.
“She was three lengths off Coolangatta, so if I use that as the benchmark with Coolangatta being favourite for the Golden Slipper, I hold Sejardan a few lengths better than Snitcat, so I think he is a very good (Slipper) chance.”
Sejardan has drawn barrier nine and while he has come from near the tail to win both his starts, Collett says he is not one-dimensional and anticipates him settling midfield on Saturday.
Promising filly Paris Dior is second pick for the Inglis Millennium at $4 with Boldhino ($6), El Padrino ($9.50) and Zambezi River ($9.50) the only other runners under $10.
