# Collett has laugh on his critics with winning ride on Gytrash
Source URL: 	https://www.theage.com.au/sport/racing/collett-has-laugh-on-his-critics-with-winning-ride-on-gytrash-20200905-p55spg.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed
Date: 		20200905T0626

“I liked him as a rider and that was perfect. He showed why he has the
job and he got the best from our horse and there is more to come.

“The more I get to know him the more Jason suits me because he is so
casual about it.”

Gytrash stalked the world’s highest-rated sprinter Nature Strip, which
controlled the tempo outside Ball Of Muscle, to the turn and then sailed
past them.

Any questions about Gytrash on his Sydney leg were answered as he raced
away to a 1½-lengths victory from Nature Strip with Dirty Work another
half-length away in third.

“They were smart out in front because they didn’t go hard and then
dropped him on the turn and I thought 'oh no', but once Jason got him to
balance up, he hit top gear,” Richards said.

“They had excuses for Nature Strip last time we beat him, and he had
time to improve for this time but I know we are going to have to be
better again to beat him in The Everest.”

Gytrash was tightened from $8 to $6, while Nature Strip went from $2.60
to $3 but maintained favouritism for The Everest next month.

Gytrash hadn’t impressed Collett in a gallop during the week but he was
in “the go-zone” come raceday.

“We were close enough on straightening and he just was beautiful. He
switched up a gear and he's a bit unassuming in some ways,” Collett
said.

“Compared to some other horses that are Everest sprinters, he is very
good, but he’s just so casual about it.

“When I pushed through the gallop on Monday with a one-raced stayer and
it still beat me by about three lengths I thought, I’ve stuffed this up
somehow. The gallop wasn’t that of an Everest horse. That win was.”

Trainer Gordon Richards is a big fan of jockey Jason
Collett.Credit:Getty

Chris Waller was as happy as he could be in defeat with Nature Strip
after reviewing the race, where they were only 0.08 seconds outside
Redzel's 1000m track record.

“Watching the replay, maybe we could have rolled a half-length quicker
but what would it have done? It might have a got a few of them out of
their comfort zone but at what cost for us,” Waller said.

“I think he showed good acceleration at the top of the straight and had
the winner off the bridle. I think when we get to 1200m he can sustain
pressure and be a lot more comfortable

“From a first-up perspective, I thought his run was really good.”

Racing writer for The Sydney Morning Herald