Clutch of Colletts dominate opening race

Pukekohe trainer Richard Collett was a very proud father at Ruakaka racetrack, where all three of his children rode their horses to a podium finish - in the same event.
All Collett's children are apprentice jockeys and were racing together - a rare occurrence for the siblings - in the Cowleys Hire Centre's Maiden 1400m, race one, at yesterday's Whangarei Racing Club meeting.
The oldest of the three 21-year-old Tasha Collett rode the Ruakaka partnership of Kenny and Lisa Rae-trained Hearts Delight to victory, while brother Jason, 19, was second on board Rainmaker and the youngest Collett sibling Alysha, 16, was third, riding Soldier Boy.
"It's the first time this has ever happened - they've probably only ridden against each other in the same race three or four times. Their mother and I are very proud," the trainer said.
It's not hard to see where the Collett children get their passion for riding and racing horses from - it's in their blood.
Collett and wife Judy were both jockeys in their younger years. That was how the pair met.
"We rode competitively for about 10 years and then moved to Pukekohe - we're originally from the South Island - where I've been training for the past 22 years."
Richard's brother Jim was a former top jockey, who now trains horses from his base in Matamata. Jim's daughter Sam Collett is also a jockey and was riding at Ruakaka yesterday, up against one of two of her cousins during the 11-race programme.
It would seem only natural for the Collett children to follow in their parents footsteps and take up a jockey apprenticeship - but it was not an automatic decision for Tasha and Jason. They both finished school and weighed up their options before committing to the racing lifestyle.
"I was going to go to uni, but I wasn't sure what to study. We've always ridden ponies and did track work and I guess I just wanted to ride more," Tasha Collett said, who has nearly completed her four-year apprenticeship, with just under 200 wins.
There were no such qualms for Alysha, who has been an apprentice for two months - and already has three wins under her belt. "You couldn't keep me at school, I only wanted to ride and both Tasha and Jason seemed to be having fun as apprentices," she said.
Seeing his children cross the line together was a moment Richard Collett will not forget in a long time - especially as the trio were doing what they loved.