Jockey Jason Collett prepared for the challenge of Territory Express in 2024 The Gong at Kembla Grange

The Paul Niceforo-trained Territory Express is the favourite for the Group 3 The Gong but it’s unlikely to be an easy sit for gun jockey Jason Collett.

Territory Express is the favourite for The Gong. Picture: Bradley Photos

Jockey Jason Collett will need to embrace things he likely can’t control to help Territory Express breakthrough for a hard earned feature success in Saturday’s Group 3 $1 million The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange.

Slow starts companied with a get back and rattle home style make riding the Paul Niceforo-trained a tricky proposition that needs luck to win.

Collett is taking over the challenge star apprentice Zac Lloyd after the young hoop picked up a careless riding ban the last time the gelding was at the races when fifth in the Listed Five Diamonds.

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Lloyd has been set unenviable tasks in each of Territory Express’s past two starts when the gelding was slowly away before being forced to weave through the pack in the straight.

Collett has accepted a similar fate in The Gong but is hopeful of a different result.

“As everyone knows, he is not quick to clear the gates so we will probably end up in a tricky position,” Collett said.

“That’s just him. I know they’ve tried a few things to improve it but it has been to no avail so it’s just a case of dealing with it.

“You just have to prepare that he is going to jump a touch behind them but think positive and try and get him out the best I can.

“You just have to work with how he begins.”

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Kembla Grange has been a happy hunting ground for Territory Express, the $4.80 favourite in The Gong, in the past with a win and a second at the track.

He came from a seemingly impossible position to win a Provincial-Midway Championships heat in February before going to take out the $1 million final at Royal Randwick in April.

Collett helped Territory Express break his maiden in September last year and was last aboard the gelding when he finished third in the Group 3 Lord Mayors Cup (1800m) at Eagle Farm in June.

Jason Collett is chasing back-to-back The Gongs. Picture: Jason McCawley-Getty Images

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“The track at Kembla with the length of the straight there is a positive for him,” Collett said.

“He has won there and he came from a very difficult position as well when he did.

“I think heading back down to Kembla with him will be good thing for him.”

The Group 1-winning hoop gave Territory Express a tune-up gallop at Warwick Farm on Tuesday.

“He is definitely become a stronger horse but mannerism wise he is still much the same,” Collett said.

“He is a difficult horse to gallop but he relaxes good on raceday so there is no need to read too much into it.”

Speedy mare Frilled could give Collett a chance at a feature double with the Matthew Smith-trained mare set to tackle the Group 3 $300,000 The Warra (1000m).

Frilled (inside) is a contender in The Warra. Picture: Michael Klein

Frilled, who won her first five starts in succession, has campaigned in Melbourne this campaign without a lot of luck but returns to her home state to chase some valuable black type.

Collett is riding Frilled for the first time in a race in which she is a $13 chance.

“Her record has been very good,” Collett said.

“She has been quick to get to this level but now she is there, she is finding a bit more difficult so she will need a bit of luck.”

Collett has an excellent book across the stand-alone card but by far his most intriguing ride away from the features is aboard Gilded Water ($4.80).

Owned and raced by His Majesty King Charles III, Gilded Water will make his Australian debut for new trainer Ciaron Maher in the PFD Food Services Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m).

The Fastnet Rock gelding has won one of his four starts back in the UK with Collett piloting him in his only Australian trial.

“He is a nice horse,” Collett said.

“I sat on him in his only trial in Australia and I was quite impressed.

“Obviously he had a slight issue there so he missed that first up run and I jumped on his back on Tuesday morning and had a nice hit out.

“I probably learned a bit more from him on Tuesday too.

“I think 2000m will be no issues, probably happy it’s that and not 1800m.”

Originally published as Jockey Jason Collett prepared for the challenge of Territory Express in 2024 The Gong at Kembla Grange