‘He’s a special horse to me’ – Collett reunites with Waterford

Alshya Collett had her biggest win on Waterford in the The Coast earlier in the year, and will be out to usurp it when they reunite in the Alan Brown Stakes on Saturday.

Collett had to watch James McDonald win the Shannon Stakes with Waterford last start, but the world’s best jockey will be in Melbourne for the Caulfield Guineas this weekend, meaning she got the call-up for the $1.5 million contest at Rosehill.

“He is a special horse to me and gave me my biggest win,” Collett said.

“When you get taken off for someone like J-Mac you understand why they do it.”

“I just have to come out and do the same as he did and win on him again.”

“It was great to be thought of for a ride like Waterford, especially after that last win, and it is an opportunity to make everyone see I can match it in these races.”

“I get on with him really well and he loves being on his home track, and he is going to be very hard to beat over the 1400m.”

Collett is likely to be in the mix for one of the Chris Waller runners in the Hill Stakes, where Lindermann, Kovalica and Militarize are likely to be among the field for the $2 million race over 1900m.

The trio, like Waterford, are taking advantage of the different options for horses in Sydney during the spring and were able to avoid Autumn Glow in the Epsom.

Collett is getting her share of opportunities and has been booked again for Bill Ritchie Stakes winner With Your Blessing in the Sydney Stakes on Everest day, and hopes to stick with Swiftfalcon after he charged home for fourth in the Epsom on Saturday.

“It’s rides like Swiftfalcon you would like to keep,” Collett said.

“He was a little slow away in the Epsom and it cost him being that bit closer and running a place.”

“I hope they stick with me because he is a lovely horse.”