COLLETT’S CANNY BOOKING FOR HAWKESBURY FILLY

JASON Collett will be a new rider for Hawkesbury filly Canny Queen in her Queensland Oaks test at Doomben on Saturday.

Collett has been booked for the Group 2 The Roses (2000m), and leading trainer Brad Widdup is hoping the Sydney jockey can repeat his success in the race two years ago.

Collett rode the 2022 Golden Slipper winner Fireburn to victory in the 2023 edition of The Roses.

Widdup was in Brisbane for stablemate Jedibeel’s Doomben 10,000 quest last Saturday, and watched Canny Queen gallop that morning.

“The filly’s owner John Cordina (Summertime Thoroughbreds) is keen for her to run in the Oaks,” Widdup said today.

“Obviously she will need to race well on Saturday to proceed to the fillies’ Group 1.”

The $700,000 Queensland Oaks (2200m) will be run at Eagle Farm on June 7, and The Roses has generally proven an excellent form guide.

Canny Queen, a daughter of Cordina’s 2017 Victoria Derby winner Ace High, has won three (including two this preparation) of her 11 career starts.

After scoring over 1600m at Gosford on February 22, she was beaten less than a length when fifth in the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m), and then filled the same position in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Canny Queen backed up four days later when ninth to Belle Detelle in the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 5, and didn’t race again until an excellent fourth in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) on May 10.

That race was run on a very heavy track – the meeting was called off afterwards – and the Hawkesbury filly got well back, but kept coming to the line in a gutsy performance.

Meanwhile, Widdup has pulled up stumps with stable star Jedibeel, who will not race again in Brisbane during the winter.

After being narrowly beaten by bolter Libertad in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on May 3, Jedibeel was out of luck for clear running in the straight when eighth to Sunshine In Paris in last Saturday’s Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m).

“He has pulled up well, but it’s time to stop now,” Widdup said.

“He has gone to the paddock, and may remain in Queensland to spell seeing as though we are getting the wet weather at home.

“If we are going to get him ready for spring racing, then it’s best to give him a break now.”

Story John Curtis, May 20, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos