Talented apprentice Maggie Collett can kick off her metropolitan riding career perfectly when she partners Trip at Morphettville on Saturday.
Collett has been waiting patiently to be cleared by stewards to ride on Saturdays after a successful 12 months in the saddle since making her debut at Ceduna in December last year.
In less than 12 months Collett has ridden 47 winners, while in season 2020-21 she sits fifth on the South Australian Premiership with 18 wins, and second on the Provincial Title behind Barend Vorster.
“She’s a good kid,’’ boss David Jolly said.
“She’s ticking along really well. She’s done her time in the country and it will be good to see her step up in town,’’ he said.
From Melbourne, Collett, 22, recorded the biggest win of her career aboard Handsome Return in the City of Port Augusta Cup earlier in the year and Jolly said she’s come a long way in what has been a trying year being so far away from her family due to COVID-19 and border restrictions.
“She’s pretty tight with her family, especially her twin sister,’’ Jolly added.
“There was some home sickness there early on for sure, but she realised it was going to be difficult, and she has toughed it out really well.
“She’s certainly looking forward to the borders opening and being able to see her family,’’ he said.
Collett said she was monitoring the news updates on border restrictions between Victoria and South Australia and rarely went a day without touching base at home.
“I’m in contact with my family every day, usually multiple times a day I speak to my mum and twin sister,’’ Collett said.
“It’s been really hard but it’s looking like things might open up, so hopefully they can come over in the next month or so,’’ she said.
Collett warmed up for her city debut winning the opening race at Murray Bridge on Wednesday and said she was looking forward to getting back on board the red-hot Trip who has won her past three, including the $100,000 Riziz Series Final.
She rode Trip to victory at Balaklava three starts back, but Jolly said looking at the race it wasn’t as straightforward as many would for see for the noted front runner.
“There are a few in that race who like to do similar,’’ Jolly said.
“She’ll be able to have a look early and assess things and see how she goes from there.”
Aside from Trip, she’ll also partner Just Kappy and The Raven who she partnered to a last-start victory.
“I’ve got a history with all three, I know them pretty well and ride them track work at Strath,’’ Collett added.
“It’s really great to be supported by the Strathalbyn trainers,’’ she said.
Jolly said gaining her metro licence was a great reward for Collett’s hard work and desire to improve.
“She’s come through the right stages from the country to the provincial and is riding three horses she’s pretty familiar with,’’ Jolly said.
“It’s a really good time for her to be kicking off and I’m sure her three-kilogram claim will be utilised by a lot of trainers in the coming months,’’ he said.
