Fast Learner ready for an examination in top company

Fast Learner ready for an examination in top company.

A convincing last to first performance by promising galloper Fast Learner at Te Rapa on Saturday has confirmed the high opinion Pukekohe trainer Richard Collett has of the four-year-old gelding.

In the hands of Collett’s daughter Alysha, the talented son of Align showed he is nearly ready to tackle the top grade which is something his trainer has believed was on the cards from the moment he entered his stable.

“I’ve always thought this horse has what it takes to make it to the top level as long as he could sort out his racing manners along the way,” explained Collett.

“He has a superb stride on him and is a very well balanced galloper but early on he had a few wayward tendencies that we needed to iron out.

“He has come back a much stronger horse for this preparation and that showed on Saturday with what I thought was a pretty tidy effort.”

Whilst he has improved his racing manners markedly the showy chestnut gelding did give Collett a few anxious moments as he was slow away at the start of Saturday’s contest.

“We had planned to ride him a lot handier than eventuated but he was going backwards when the gates opened so he missed the jump which meant Alysha didn’t have much choice but to let him find his feet early on,” he noted.

“As it turned out the sectionals played into our hands as they went hard early on and he was good enough to finish off very strongly and put them away in the end.”

Collett has his eyes on a further run in the rating 75 grade before he asks his charge to tackle better company.

“Depending on what his rating penalty from Saturday is we will probably look at the rating 75 mile at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day as his next run,” he said.

“He will be at the top of the handicap in that grade so we will claim on him to get some assistance there.

“After that he may have a short break but I think he will be ready to step into the open grade in the autumn where a race like the Easter Handicap might become a target.”

The Collett household will have a full team on board for Christmas with son Jason returning home for a few days which will include riding duties at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

“Jason is coming back from Sydney for Christmas and he will ride Lady Royale at Ellerslie on Boxing Day before he heads back to Sydney the next day,” said Collett.

“At this stage Alysha will only be here for another week or so as well as she is heading to Brisbane where she will finish up the last five months of her apprenticeship with the Brian Smith stable.

“It’s a great opportunity for her as she can still claim a two kilogram allowance in the city so it makes sense with the way the Queensland racing scene is blossoming.” – NZ Racing Desk

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