He has won two of the past three renewals of the Tattersall’s Tiara but Jason Collett won’t be adding to that record this year, the top jockey instead staying closer to home to chase a first Civic Stakes success.
After breaking through for his maiden Group 1 win aboard Invincibella in the 2019 Tiara, Collett was again the toast of Eagle Farm 12 months ago when he guided local filly Startantes to victory in the final major of the season.
He has already made his mark on this year’s Brisbane winter carnival, capturing the J J Atkins on King Colorado, but was surprisingly unable to secure a strong enough ride in Saturday’s renewal of the Tatt’s Tiara to make the interstate trip worthwhile.
“I just didn’t have the book,” Collett said.
“We tried to get on a couple of runners there in the Tiara, but my manager was happier for me to be staying in Sydney for what we were going to be offered here.”
Among that Randwick offering is the Listed Civic Stakes (1400m) mount on the Chris Waller-trained Longvillers, who has been backed into $7.50 after opening at $15.
Collett was reunited with the former French galloper in a barrier trial on Tuesday after partnering him to a closing sixth behind Ellsberg at his Australian debut in the Five Diamonds (1800m) last spring.
A multiple stakes placegetter in his homeland, Longvillers has returned to work a gelding and Collett is keen to see how he measures up on Saturday.
“He trialled really nicely on Tuesday and his run was fantastic from the wide gate in the Five Diamonds, he came from last and wasn’t far off them at the finish,” Collett said.
“It looks a nice starting point on Saturday.
“He’s got class and he is definitely a stakes performer here.”
In an open market, Waihaha Falls remains favourite for the Civic Stakes at $5 ahead of his John O’Shea-trained stablemate Cotehele ($6), while first emergency King Of Hastings has had specking, firming from $11 into $7.50.