Canterbury preview: A nice book of rides has jockey Jason Collett poised to boost his premiership standing

As the racing season draws to a close, Jason Collett is eager to build on his achievements, including a prestigious Group 1 win, with a strong showing at Canterbury

Jason Collett is looking to build on his season tally of winners when he heads to Canterbury. Picture: Bradley Photos

Jockey Jason Collett is more than happy with the way this season has gone so far including a Group 1 win and is looking to close it out with a bang.

Collett currently sits third in the metropolitan jockeys premiership and while James McDonald holds a commanding lead with 81 winners, Collett is just three behind Zac Lloyd with 58 wins and is looking to close the gap.

“I’m really happy with the way the season has gone so far,” said Collett.

“Obviously, winning the Doncaster was huge. It’s such a big race.

“I want to try and win any Group 1 but to achieve that was such a huge.

“On the whole, I’m third in the premiership, I’m happy with the stake money I’ve earnt so it’s been a good season.”

POINT SCORE (2 c Blue Point - Hill of Grange) runs away from his rivals at @kemblaraces for Amanda Turner, giving @DarleyStallions BLUE POINT a 6th SH 2yo winner this season 🔵

The colt was a $150k buy for his trainer from @Middlebrookstud at the @mmsnippets Gold Coast Yearling… pic.twitter.com/34WRTJ1H5V

— ANZ News (@anz_news) May 31, 2025

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

Collett has a nice book of rides at Canterbury starting with the Gary Portelli-trained Kilbrannan in the Myplates Handicap (1250m).

He rode the two-year-old in his last trial at Warwick Farm before the colt debuted with a handy third to Point Score at Kembla with his brother-in-law, Andrew Calder, in the saddle.

“I’ve had a wee bit to do with the family. Obviously, he is a half-brother to Fireburn and Kintyre and he is a similar type.

“He’s got a good attitude and shows a bit of ability.

“He trialled quite nicely when I rode him at Warwick Farm leading into his first run.

“Stepping up a bit further this week will help.

“He’s a raw type and whatever he does this week, he will improve again.

“There’s a hot favourite in this race of Chris Waller’s (Central Coast) but I do like this horse going forward.”

Collett partnered the Ciaron Maher-trained So Long Farewell in his first two runs this campaign including a second to Kundabung on the Kensington two runs back.

They reunite in the Maurice At Arrowfield Plate (1550m).

“His last run for me was really good on the Kenso. I rode him a bit quieter and he started to put it together late and attacked the line well,” he said.

“I see they rode him up close last start and it may not have been to his liking because he wasn’t as strong late.

A dominant victory to Kundabung who breaks his maiden at start number three at Randwick today!🙌 @cwallerracing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/Vf8YrDlJ2J

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 14, 2025

“This distance this week is what I think he will need but it may be a case of making sure he does it right in the first half of the race so he runs on.”

The Richard and Will Freedman-trained Miss Jones is an acceptor in the TAB Plate (1250m) and also Maiden Handicap at Gosford on Thursday.

Collett was aboard first-up when fourth behind Regimental Colours over 1100m at Warwick Farm and feels a step up in distance is ideal.

“She battled away okay first-up,” he said.

“She has an abundance of early speed so I’d like to make use of that and put her up on the speed. The Canterbury track will suit her style

“There are a couple of handy types in the field but I think she is a good hope.”

Collett had his first feel of Fioprospero in a Randwick barrier trial last Friday and was happy with the gelding’s effort when sixth in the mid-preparation heat ahead of the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1900m).

“It was a tick over trial to get him ready for this,” he said.

“I don’t know too much about his form with most of his runs up in Queensland this campaign but I was happy with his trial.”

His final ride is Miss Hades in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1550m).

“She has won at this level in earlier campaign so she does have the ability, she just needs to recapture that,” he said.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Trainer Matthew Smith is pleased with preparation of new recruit Fioprospero and is looking to the gelding to build on it when he steps out at Canterbury.

The son of Fiorente kicked off his first preparation for Smith with a sixth behind Debello over an unsuitable 1400m at Kembla on March 4 before heading to Queensland and scoring back-to-back wins at Eagle Farm over 1830m and 1805m.

The six-year-old was then just behind the placegetters on the Kensington in late April and the Gold Coast on May 10.

“He’s been racing in great form this preparation,” said Smith.

“Most of his runs have been up in Queensland and he won a couple of races at Eagle Farm.

“We just gave him a little freshen up after his last run and trial last week.

Fioprospero settled last and wide and worked to the line strongly to finish a three length sixth behind Last Command in the 1200m heat under Jason Collett who will ride him in the Ole Kirk @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1900m).

Fioprospero makes it two wins in a row at Eagle Farm! 2️⃣@baileywheeler05 | @mcsmithracing | @BrisRacingClubpic.twitter.com/lqQ2O7lG3f

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025

“I was really happy with that trial,” he said.”

“He gives me the impression that he will run a mile and a half so we will look to step him up.”

Smith has liked what he seen of Golden Straand in trackwork and his trials and the colt pleased his trainer with his debut second to Sapphire Rose over 1100m at Wyong on June 8.

The son of the late Snitzel steps out for his second start in the TAB Plate (1250m) for three-year-old maidens with Jay Ford to ride.

“I quite like this horse and I was happy with his debut run,” Smith said.

“He’s a colt that we have brought along slowly.

“He’s also in at Gosford on Thursday so I will work out which race suits him better at this stage and we try and build his confidence.”

Smith final runner is Serene Nic in the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1550m).

The five-year-old should be forgiven for her last start sixth at Hawkesbury on a heavy track and has since trialled very well when third to Jamberoo at Warwick Farm on May 27.

“She was terrific first-up and at her next start, she ran as expected being second-up off a decent break,” he said.

“She just didn’t perform at Hawkesbury last start so we gave her a freshen up.

“She was very consistent last preparation and this is the sort of race she can run very well in.”