The Ruakaka meeting tomorrow presents Pukekohe apprentice Jason Collett with a good opportunity to get back among the winners in New Zealand.
Collett returned last Monday from a three-month stint in Sydney and resumed riding locally at the Tauranga meeting two days later, but had no joy in three rides.
Now his attention turns to the Whangarei Racing Club's meeting and, judging by his book of rides, it will be a surprise if he doesn't salute the judge.
"I've got some nice rides and a lot of them are for Donna and Dean Logan. Their horses always go well on their home track so they're all chances," said Collett.
Collett's rides include O'Tryst, Mygoodgrace, Tekeela and Nazeer for the Logans, while he will also ride Uwillbeglorious for Gareth McRae, Mindy for Shaune Ritchie and Peace Lily for Ralph Manning.
O'Tryst, a starter in the second, the United Security Northland 1600, has picked up two fourths from five starts and didn't threaten fresh-up at Ruakaka last month, but could improve greatly.
Mygoodgrace looks a big chance for the Logans and Collett in the third event, the Calders Design & Print 1400.
The Royal Academy mare has won three of her 13 starts, including her latest outing at Ruakaka, and has been placed on five occasions.
Collett will ride Tekeela in the fourth race, the Fell Engineering 1200, and the Thorn Park mare will be looking for a change of luck after suffering a rocky run last start. In her previous run she was a maiden winner on the track.
Collett will switch the Logan stable colours for those of the Gareth McRae-trained Uwillbeglorious in the fifth race, the Asset Management Engineers 1200, and despite a big field, victory could come his way. The horse was third on debut last month and looks an improver.
"Just the wide draw is against him," said Collett.
The sixth event, the Carters Chippies 1200 Sprint, will see Collett ride Mindy for Ritchie and the O'Reilly 3-year-old filly looks a definite threat. She is fresh-up but looked smart last season when following a debut fourth at Counties with a fast-finishing win at Te Rapa.
Peace Lilly is a chance for Collett in the seventh race, the 91.6 More FM 2100m Challenge. She has won three times and ran on late for fifth at Tauranga last start.
Collett will round off the day on the Logan-trained Nazeer in the final event, the Marsden, Woods, Inskip and Smith 1400. Nazeer followed a trials placing with an eye-catching debut effort at Ruakaka last month.
Collett made the most of his time with former Kiwi trainer Chris Waller and says he learned a lot from the trip.
"It was rewarding both financially and experience-wise," said Collett. "I rode 28 winners and got one on my last day, on Bayroan for Chris."
- WALLY'S PICKS
12.25, Cowley's Hire Centre 2100: CABASSO, Jungle Queen, It'll Do Me.
1pm, United Security Northland 1600: DAZZLING HEIGHTS, Lucky Break, O'Tryst.
1.35pm, Calder's Design & Print 1400: MYGOODGRACE, Ace High, Shandream.
2.10pm, Fell Engineering 1200: EL MAURICIO, Major Rio, Miko.
2.46pm, Asset Management Engineers 1200: UWILLBEGLORIOUS, Fullavino, Tsario.
3.21pm, Carters Chippies 1200 Sprint: MINDY, El Menear, Payette.
3.56pm, 91.6 More FM 2100 Challenge: UNCLE SHAYNE, Peace Lilly, Albaladejo.
4.31pm, Marsden, Woods, Inskip and Smith 1400: NAZEER, Keepher Close, Whistling Straits.
Best Bet: EL MAURICIO.
Best Longshot: ONE HIPP CHICK (R5).
