Collett turns heartbreak into heroics

Jason Collett’s heart sank when his manager, Bryan Haskins, rang on Christmas Eve with the news that Magic Millions favourite Paradoxium would be scratched at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

He felt he finally had a star two-year-old to take him all the way to the Golden Slipper, and it was the reason for the trip to Queensland.

But he still had business up north and took care of it with a ruthlessness that was nearly perfect.

Left with five rides, Collett had four winners and a second on Firestar to Hidden Wealth in the Falvelon, the quartet took him past 1600 wins in his career.

Collett started his day winning on Chris Waller-trained Bluepinot, then Kris Lees’ stayer Zaphod, before taking out the Members Mile on Amor Victorious.

“The day worked out to be one of my better ones,” Collett said. “It’s good to be on Sydney horses up here."

“I thought Amor Victorious was suspect at the mile, but he sprinted home in just over 34 [seconds for the final 600m] and just got the job done.”

Collett saved the best for last, completing a double for the Lees stable as Saxobushi put himself in Magic Millions Guineas calculations after a brilliant steer.

“I was back in the field, but from the 600m he just kept picking them off and never lost momentum,” Collett said. “When he hit the front, he had a good look around, so there is a bit more there to work with."

“He is the kind of horse that can take another step.”

It was the 10^th time Collett has ridden four or more winners on a program; his best is five at Goulburn.

He turns his attention to Caffe Florian in the Gosford Guineas on Sunday.

“She is a pretty good filly, and we are going to find out a bit more about her [on Sunday],” Collett said.