“It’s all about getting the right opportunities, and fortunately this year I’ve got really good support, which is the main thing. It’s been a slow battle, but things are going really well.”
Although she is yet to ride the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Don Diego De Vega in a race, Collett feels comfortable on the import, which blew the start and finished sixth in the Newcastle Cup. She will need to overcome a tricky draw in barrier 12 on Saturday in an open affair.
Alysha Collett after winning on With Your Blessing in the Bill Ritchie Handicap.Credit: Getty Images
“He’s quirky, but I know him really well, so that’s a key thing for him,” she said.
“During winter, I rode him most of his Tuesday gallops leading into the races, so I have a good feel for him.”
The chance on the Michael, John and Waynes Hawkes-trained Swiftfalcon came with regular rider Tyler Schiller avoiding a weight drop on a day he pilots Everest hope Briasa in the $1 million Premiere Stakes.
Swiftfalcon has finished three lengths away in sixth in his two runs back as a four-year-old, in the Tramway Stakes and Cameron Handicap.
“He’s got plenty of talent and I think having a ride on him in a track work gallop gives me a good indicator of what type of horse he is too,” said Collett, who rode Swiftfalcon on Tuesday and Friday.
“I’m really happy I did that, it just helped getting to know him a little bit and just knowing how he goes through his paces.
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“I just need to get him into a rhythm and let him build through his gears.
“I’m pretty sure the blinkers are going on. His work was class. I like the barrier [four]. I like the set-up for him, so hopefully the favourite [Autumn Glow] is not too good.”
Collett also rides Midway Handicap favourite Sunset Park ($4.80) on the day, as well as Churchill’s Choice ($23) in the fifth and Legaselli ($35) in the third.