Racing: Collett team should be followed

Jason Collett may be reunited with So Pristine in Brisbane. Photo / Sarah Ivey

A heavy track may have clipped Richard Collett's attack on his local meeting but he's still worth following today - on both sides of the Tasman.

The in-form trainer's three remaining entries at Pukekohe, where the track was yesterday rated as heavy (11), include standout Flexman in the last leg of the $45,000 Pick6.

In Sydney, he's also represented by talented apprentice son Jason, 19, who has hit the ground running since transferring to Chris Waller's care for three months.

In just a handful of rides, Collett, who can claim 2kg under the new city allowance system, already has two winners on the board, his most recent on Canberra filly Jackpot Queen at Randwick on Monday.

Collett has four mounts at Canterbury today, two of whom are rated serious winning chances: the Kevin Moses-trained Rose Of Aranmore (race three) and the Waller speedster I Rule The World (race five).

Understandably, his father is not in a rush to get him back, at least while Jason still has the 2kg claim as currency.

"He's still got to ride another 16 winners before he loses that and with the weather the way it is here now, he may as well take the opportunity to gain the experience," said Richard Collett.

The lethal father and son combination may reunite in a few weeks in Queensland, however.

Collett has handy stayer So Pristine, who resumes in a 1600m event at Te Rapa on Saturday, aimed at the six-figure handicap races in the latter half of the winter carnival.

Meanwhile, promising apprentice daughters Tasha and Alysha Collett keep the home fires burning at Pukekohe today.

Alysha, who lost her 3kg claim with her upset win on Stellas Gold at Ellerslie on Monday, kicks off the stable's assault on first-starter Summer Hill in race one.

Richard Collett said the Golan gelding is a "little light-framed" but he was happy with his trial third over 1000m on a slow Te Awamutu last month.

"Early in the day, he's a chance to get a bit of it from the draw," he said.

"They've shifted the rail in on new ground so from the two gate he should get a nice trip."

He would be thrilled, however, just to see stablemate Zitanni (race two) doing everything right for Tasha in the horse's race debut.

"She still wants to over-race a bit and still has a fair bit to learn," said Collett.

"If we can get her to relax in the first part of the race and she runs on nice, I'd be very happy."

Collett rates promising staying type Flexman (race eight) as his best chance. The No Excuse Needed gelding has yet to race on a surface anywhere near as heavy as he strikes today.

But he has jump-out form in the wet and was born with web feet.

His mum is listed-placed Vera Pro Gratis, who was a toff in heavy ground, and his grand-dam Cornwall Handicap winner Nat The Brat, an even more accomplished performer in the deep stuff.

Collett said the 1200m Flexman struck on debut was never going to suit, but he made ground nicely that day against the race pattern.