By Chris Roots
Jason Collett was hoping Egyptian Symbol would take him to the Magic Millions before the unlucky hoop broke his foot in November, but he gets his chance to renew a winning combination in the Breeders Classic at Randwick on Saturday.
As Egyptian Symbol won the Magic Millions race at Wyong and ran sixth in the $1 million fillies and mares race on the Gold Coast, Collett had to bide his time on the sidelines while his foot was on the mend, wondering what might have been after he had won the Nivison Stakes in October with his only ride on the Bjorn Baker-trained mare.
Back together: Jason Collett winning the Nivision Stakes on Egyptian Symbol at Randwick in October.Credit: bradleyphotos.com.au
"She was the horse I was looking forward to getting to the Gold Coast with but then I fell off at Canterbury and had to watch her," Collett said.
"The win at the end of the carnival was very strong and I think 1200 metres is probably her best trip. It was one of those things that happens and it was disappointing to miss out on her last couple of runs. It is good to get back on her on Saturday and another good chance for me from Bjorn.
"When you are coming back from time off, you want to get back winning and she is a good chance to do that in a nice race."
Egyptian Symbol will be out to continue the good run for the Baker yard, which had another winning double on Saturday with Music Magnate and Embley.
"It is a nice race for her and she is very fit," Baker said. "She is a good quality sprinting mare and she is capable of getting a bit more black type."
Collett has been in good form since returning to the saddle earlier in the month and is looking to build into the carnival.
"Bjorn has been giving me some good opportunities and to be riding the right horses for the right trainers at this time of year is very important," Collett said. "She is the sort of mare that will be very competitive early in the carnival."
Meanwhile, Baker will weigh up over the next couple of days whether to take on Winx and Hartnell in the Apollo Stakes next week with Expressway Stakes winner Music Magnate.
He was impressive on Saturday but there are probably easier options for him in coming weeks in Melbourne over 1400 metres at group 1 level than at home.
"You can take on the best here right now but some times you are better taking a step back and finding a race, which gives you a better chance going forward," Baker said.
"We can look long term at races like the TJ Smith and perhaps the All Aged Stakes and have to keep in mind that those races are a couple of months away.
"He might have to have a little break to be there at his best. So Melbourne could be a better option for him but he is still going to meet some very good horses there."
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