Ex-pat Kiwi jockey Jason Collett well and truly paid for a flying visit home from his Sydney base when he guided promising stayer Trust In You to a gritty victory in the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) on New Year’s Day.
On his old stomping ground at Pukekohe, Collett produced an inch perfect effort to bring the Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley-trained son of Sweynesse with a decisive late burst to reel in pacemaker Khan Hunter, who looked like he would steal the race after skipping clear on the home turn.
Trust In You had already produced his credentials to run out an energy sapping 2400m when triumphing in the Dunstan Feeds Stayers Championship Final at the venue on Boxing Day in the hands of Michael McNab and was the well-supported second favourite ($3.20) for the contest behind local runner Terra Mitica ($2.50).
Joe Doyle had Khan Hunter in front from barrier rise and looked to have his rivals in a heap of trouble when travelling comfortably approaching the home bend.
At this point Trust In You was tracking Terra Mitica into the race and when Collett switched him to the outer to make his challenge he ate up the ground to collar Khan Hunter at the 100m as he went on to win by a neck, with Mary Louise shading Terra Mitica for third.
Cooksley was confident his charge would handle the quick back-up from Boxing Day and was happy to be proven right in that assessment.
“It was a very good run as he had pulled up well from last week and we didn’t do much with him, so he has won well,” Cooksley said.
“Michael rode him last week but couldn’t do the weight (53kgs) this time so we put Jason on board and he rode him really well.
“He will probably have a bit of a break now and then come back for the Auckland Cup (Gr.2, 3200m).”
TAB bookmakers reacted quickly as they moved Trust In You to a $10 quote on the Fixed Odds market for the Auckland Cup behind One Bold Cat ($8)
Out of the six-win mare Shinko Bay, who won at Listed level, Trust In You is a half-brother to stakes-placed mare Donna Anne Billy and comes from an extended family that includes other black-type performers in Flying Free, Cool Storm and Matinee Idol.
Offered by Novara Park during the Book 2 Sale at Karaka in 2020, he was purchased by Wallace for $26,000 and has now won four of his 22 starts and just under $280,000 in prizemoney.