Jockey Jason Collett believes Aeliana is primed for 2025 Hobartville Stakes upset against top colts and geldings

Jockey Jason Collett watched Aeliana got to another level during the spring and believes the emerging filly has been well prepared to complete a rare feat at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Jockey Jason Collett watched Aeliana got to another level during the spring and believes the emerging filly has been well prepared to complete a rare Group 2 $400,000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) feat at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Aeliana is vying become the first filly to win the Hobartville Stakes since the Leon Macdonald-trained Serious Speed in 2008.

Only five fillies have lined up against the boys in the past 15 years and Aeliana will be lone filly in the three-year-old feature this weekend.

The Chris Waller-trained filly brings competitive resume that saw her go after winning a pair of Group 3s while going within a whisker of snaring the Group 1 Thousand Guineas with James McDonald aboard during the spring.

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Collett had ridden Aeliana for her first two starts, helping her break her maiden, and is excited to reconnect in her autumn return.

“When I rode her during the winter I thought she had ability then,” Collett said.

“It was nice to have a sit on her the other day beforehand.

“She just had a nice held-together trial and poked along there behind Autumn Glow.

“Her best work in the trial was her last 100m and also through the line.”

It's Aeliana along the inside in the G3 Reginald Allen for @cwallerracing and @mcacajamez!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/uBNYBF6BVJ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 19, 2024

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Waller unleashed an armada of some of his best three-year-old fillies last weekend with Lady Shenandoah winning the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes that featured Lazzura, Amelita and Declichy Boulevard.

He has opted to go straight to seven furlongs with Aeliana and Collett believes Aeliana’s trials suggest it’s a wise decision.

“I can see why they are starting her off over the 1400m,“ Collett said.

“It’s obviously tougher there against the boys but she wasn’t far off winning a Thousand Guineas last prep.”

Aeliana with a big run wins her maiden with Jason Collett in the saddle for @cwallerracing! pic.twitter.com/RqmzWTkUtg

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 14, 2024

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Aeliana ($6.50) will have to beat star colts Broadsiding ($2.15 favourite) and Public Attention ($4.20) as well as talented gelding Linebacker ($5.50) if she is to become the second filly this century to win the Hobartville.

It could be a big day for Collett, who has chances in all four stakes races on the program.

Collett, who won last week’s Apollo Stakes on gun mare Fangirl, had a two-year-old winner on King Of Pop during the week and will be out to bolster the Golden Slipper claims of another promising juvenile in the Group 2 $300,000 Silver Slipper (1100m) on Saturday.

Buffalo, trained by David Atkins, will return from a break in the juvenile lead-up which features Golden Slipper favourite Wodeton as well as impressive youngsters West Of Swindon and Bel Merci.

Buffalo was luckless on debut at home turf at Newcastle in November when flashing home for third in the Max Lees Classic (900m).

It's a maiden Max Lees Classic for @Leesracing! Gobi Desert leads all the way with (guess who) @clarkyhk in the saddle. pic.twitter.com/qBirE4O5qE

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 16, 2024

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“His debut run was very likeable with what he did late in that race,” Collett said.

“He has had a break and a trial since. He is an interesting runner and we will get a very good line on where he lays in the land on Saturday.

“Obviously the Slipper favourite (Wodeton) is there and a couple of fancied runners in the market there.”

Last year’s Sydney Cup winner Circle Of Fire resumes in the Group 3 $250,000 Parramatta Cup (1900m).

Ciaron Maher’s imported stayer is being set for another crack at Sydney’s $2 million staying test and has been off the seen since his sixth placing in last year’s Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

🔥 Circle Of Fire gives @Atzenijockey a G1 in his 8th country, as he wins the Sydney Cup in what is sure to be a very emotional win! 🏆@[e-mail]/dtjmvIgwNq

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 13, 2024

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Collett rode him in his second Australian start last autumn and got back aboard the son of Almanzor in a recent tune up at the trials.

“Circle Of Fire was good in his trial the other day and had a nice hit out there,” Collett said.

“It was over 1200m but it was sharp trial.

“He has drawn wide and has a bit of weight but this is a starting point for him for the autumn carnival.

“I would expect him to run well.”

Circle Of Fire is a $16 contender in the Parramatta Cup.

Collett has a competitive book across the card with high quality rides on Wategos ($5) and Shezanalister ($3.90 favourite) in the final two events.

Originally published as Jockey Jason Collett believes Aeliana is primed for 2025 Hobartville Stakes upset against top colts and geldings