Hong Kong first, Japan next for Collett

Sydney jockey Jason Collett will return to Hong Kong for the first time in more than a decade to ride Giovanni in the HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin Racecourse on April 26.

The 34-year-old has been booked for the Haruki Sugiyama-trained four-year-old, having last visited Hong Kong in 2012 with fellow New Zealander Gareth McRae when Fay Fay contested the Hong Kong Derby for trainer John Size.

“When I was in New Zealand, I had a friend who used to ‘prep’ horses for an owner there and the horse, ridden by Douglas Whyte, won the Derby,” he told the Jockey Club.

“The owners offered to shout us over there. I stayed there for a week and it was basically just touristy stuff I did. I had only been riding race day for about three years and I went over for that trip with them to experience the Derby and I thought, ‘Wow, this is amazing’.”

Collett said previous opportunities to ride in Hong Kong had not aligned due to personal commitments but he is now also considering a stint in Japan.

“It should be a good experience, and I have never ridden there before, so I’m looking forward to it,” Collett said. “I’m looking at going to Japan to ride in the winter,” he said.

Giovanni faces a strong field including Romantic Warrior and Masquerade Ball, with Collett arriving in form after his Group 1 Sydney Cup win on Changingoftheguard.