By MIKE DILLON
Richard Collett will produce more 2-year-olds to the races in the next year, but it has nothing to do with Blue Dude's winning debut at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Blue Dude is the first juvenile Collett has taken to the races in four years.
"I simply haven't concentrated in that area, but we bought 20 yearlings this year, so the stable will have a lot more babies racing next season."
Blue Dude, although built like a natural 2-year-old, looks to have a bright future.
Collett describes him as "lacking professionalism, but with an excess of ability".
The Counties trainer knew the compact juvenile had talent when he finished second to Star Satire at the Cambridge trials.
"We took him to the Counties trial and I said to Jim [Collett] to drop him out and give him a quiet trial and he nearly went over the running rail and still finished third."
Blue Dude looked out of contention when he was at the tail of the main bunch at the 650m, but he drove through and stuck his neck out with remarkable determination to narrowly defeat Magnificent.
"He's timid racing with horses around him," said Jim Collett.
"He's got a lot to learn, but he wants to be a racehorse."
Richard Collett looked at the brother to Blue Dude (Volksraad-Winter White) at February's yearling sales at Karaka.
"We paid $40,000 for this bloke, but the brother went for $140,000 to Melbourne. To be fair, he was a better type than Blue Dude, longer and will take a bit more time."
Our Tristajet was almost ridiculously short on the tote at $1.60 for her debut, finishing fifth after sitting midfield throughout.
"She will be better with slight give in the footing," said rider Matthew Williamson.
Our Tristajet was momentarily held up for racing room at the 250m, but Williamson said the only difference that made was possibly costing the filly finishing fourth.
Racing: Collett bringing more juveniles
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