MODEL RACEHORSE CRUIZINGTHESTARS OPENS HER METROPOLITAN ACCOUNT IN STYLE

Cruizingthestars (outside black sleeves) pounces on Oh Arthur to win Saturday's TAB Hwy - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

Scott Collings was beyond elated when Cruizingthestars won Saturday’s TAB Highway (1000m) at Royal Randwick, and there was good reason for it. Not only has the former jockey presided over the mare’s training from early days, but he actually broke her in. Testimony to Scott’s expertise was offered by jockey Jason Collett after Saturday’s win. The experienced horseman was full of praise for the temperament, tractability and racecraft displayed by the daughter of Starspangledbanner. Scott was pleased to hear his comments. “She wasn’t a moment’s trouble through the breaking in process and hasn’t put a foot wrong since,” said the trainer. “From day one, all she wanted to do was help us. Fillies with this kind of temperament don’t come along every day.”

Cruizingthestars wasn’t the best out from barrier 2 on Saturday but quickly darted through to settle in a prime spot. At the 600m well supported Oh Arthur was being pressured by “roughie” Third Base with Martini Mumma in third place. Collet had Cruizingthestars coasting on the inside of Impendor while Brave Xena was a little worse than midfield. On top of the rise Oh Arthur gave a great “kick” under his 62 kgs and still had a good break over Third Base and Martini Mumma at the 200m. Cruizingthestars was still four lengths from the leader but starting to extend with Brave Xena winding up out wide. A weight pull of 6 kgs over Oh Arthur told the tale in the closing stages as Cruizingthestars drew clear to win by almost half a length. Brave Xena was a very creditable third.

Cruizingthestars relished a pull in the weights to beat a very game Oh Arthur in the TAB Hwy - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

The Collings trained mare was bred by members of her large ownership group and boasts an interesting pedigree. Her sire Starspangledbanner won two Gr 1’s in Australia and another two in the UK before commencing his distinguished stud career. His notable progeny include Cox Plate winner State Of Rest, Ireland and USA Gr 1 winner Gstaad, and Hong Kong topliners California Spangle and Beauty Eternal. Cruizingthestars is out of moderately performed but stylishly bred Calaway Cruizer, a daughter of the celebrated High Chapparal. Her second dam is none other than Calaway Gal, a daughter of Clang whose five wins included the 2002 Golden Slipper Stakes for Brisbane trainer Bruce Brown.

With so many famous names on her pedigree chart, it’s little wonder the Goulburn mare can pick ‘em up and put ‘em down. Scott Collings identified her talent early on but opted to delay her debut until late February when she strolled home in an 1100m Goulburn maiden with Pierre Boudvillain on board. The expat French jockey was in the saddle again two weeks later when Cruizingthestars scored another soft win in a Cl 1 on her home track over 1200m. Scott stepped her up to 1300m three weeks later and she completed the hat trick with a comfortable win in a Cl 2 at Canberra.

Scott listens intently as Jason Collett assesses the mare's performance at Randwick - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

Next assignment was a 1400m TAB Highway at Randwick from a wide gate. After covering plenty of extra ground she beat all but the placegetters finishing just 2.5 lengths from winner Ishikari. Convinced the mare had done more than enough in her first preparation, Scott sent her straight for a spell. “She’s a tall enough mare but doesn’t have a robust frame and can lighten off if you’re not careful,” said the trainer. She was coming to the end of it by the time she ran in the TAB Highway in April. She had only one trial leading into last Saturday’s race and was lovely and sharp for the 1000m.”

It’s well documented that Scott Collings enjoyed a short but successful stint as a jockey. He began his apprenticeship in the early 1990’s under the tutelage of Ken Callaghan at the trainer’s well known Capricorn Park property near Canberra, before spending the last eight months of his junior term with Ray “Nugget” Wheatley at Bega. For the record, young Collings outrode his country allowance and won the Canberra apprentice’s premiership in the 1992/1993 season. He completed a quinella some years later when he won a Canberra trainer’s premiership in partnership with Keith Dryden.

Jockey S. Collings returns to scale after a Canberra win on Sea Rhythm for Ken Callaghan in the early 90s.

In his first full season as a fully fledged rider Scott rode a very respectable 37 winners. He has no idea of his overall career win tally over thirteen years as a professional jockey. He does know that the Ken Callaghan trained Classic Magic was by far and away the best horse he rode in a race. He had two rides on the four time stakes winner for a fourth at Wagga and a third placing at Canterbury. Scott has clear recollections of his one and only metropolitan winning ride on Down In Monterey at a Canterbury midweeker.

Soon beaten by increasing weight, Scott went to work for Barabara Joseph at her Bombala stables. He caught the bug again when riding work for Barbara but this time he had to be content with joining the amateur ranks. He had a lot of fun and rode his share of winners on the picnic circuit with two notable highlights. He won back to back Bong Bong Cups in 2004 and 2005 on Give Away for the late Graeme Spackman.

Scott wins the second of his two Bong Bong Cups on Give Way 2005.

The thoroughly experienced horseman has the use of twenty boxes at the Goulburn racecourse and another thirteen on his 27 acre property at Middle Arm on the outskirts of the regional city. The luxury of having paddocks and yards enables him to spell horses on the farm or to give any of his racehorses a “freshen up” when required. Scott was riding the bulk of his own trackwork until January of this year when a nasty fall left him with vertebrae fractures requiring surgery the very next day. To his chagrin the 51 year old had to stay out of the saddle for several months, and only recently resumed trackwork and breaking-in duties. Needless to say his mood has taken a turn for the better.

Scott’s had a spring in his step since one of his favourites Ticklebelly was snapped up by a slotholder for the upcoming $2 million dollar Kosciuszko to be run on October 17th. The genuine six year old mare has the credentials to run boldly in the rich race given a decent barrier draw and a few favours in the run. Ticklebelly has been a great money spinner for owners Mick and Ruth Doyle, putting together a record of 7 wins and 10 placings for prize money of $467,000. Her wins include a TAB Highway at Randwick, the $100,000 Snake Gully Cup at Gundagai, and the $150,000 Country Championship Southern Wild Card at Goulburn last year. She led before finishing a good fifth in the Championship Final at Randwick only 2.7 lengths behind Know Thyself.

Confirmed Kosciuszko starter Ticklebelly (Jason Collett) wins a Randwick TAB Highway from Carribean King (Nash Rawiller) 14/12/2024 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

Scott’s hoping Saturday’s emphatic win by Cruizingthestars will attract the attention of the only slotholder still without a horse. The owner of that keenly sought ticket is obviously leaving his options open while he sifts through the form of a handful of talented horses. To have two runners in the important race for country trained horses, would be a dream come true for the former jockey. Jason Collett has already committed to Ticklebelly. Should a sudden turn of events put Cruizingthestars into the field, Scott knows there will be no shortage of capable jockeys putting their hands up.

Scott was out of action for several months early this year following a nasty track work fall. He's back with a bang! - courtesy Bradley Photographers.