Racing: Collett hoping for long overdue impetus

Beggar's Banquet will prepare for a return to jumping events with a run in the jumpers flat at Gate Pa today. Photo / Christine Cornege

To say the bar has been lowered somewhat for Impetus at Tauranga today is the understatement of the winter.

Two seasons back, Pukekohe trainer Richard Collett had the New Zealand Oaks on the radar for the athletic Zabeel mare and her band of owners, who include Carol Marshall and Bob Morris of Giovana fame.

At that stage, with two wins from her first four starts, Impetus had earned star stable billing alongside Mill Duckie, who went on to run third in the Trentham group one feature.

After being undone by a muddling pace as second favourite in the lead-up Royal Stakes, however, leg problems surfaced that would rob Impetus of her best racing years.

She returned for a couple of early-season 4-year-old attempts but was sidelined again, this time for an operation to fix distensions in both front fetlock tendons.

Collett said former stablemate Mary Agnes, another highly rated 3-year-old from the same season, made a successful return to the racetrack after overcoming a similar problem.

After an encouraging first-up fourth by Impetus over 1200m at Te Aroha on June 24 - her first raceday appearance for 587 days - Collett is confident she can follow suit over 1600m today.

"She is a lovely big mare and the 1600m is her trip; she's a nice chance in that field," said Collett.

"Her class will take her a fair way."

Impetus proved at Te Aroha that the track conditions should not be a concern in leg five of the $40,000 Pick6, which is also leg three of a $10,000 bonus-boosted Quaddie.

After settling well back that day for apprentice daughter Tasha Collett, Impetus stormed home wide out, her momentum checked slightly at one point to avoid a steeplechase fence near the outside rail.

By start time of 3.45pm today they'll be making winning runs just as wide.

Collett is also confident of a big run from his only other runner, a freshened Sarsarun in the R80 1400m, leg two of Pick6.

He said the Ustinov mare had had "a few issues as well" with feet, but was forward enough to win her first outing since scoring impressively over 1600m on her home track in January.

She was an eye-catching open 1200m trial winner on a heavy Te Aroha in May but suffered a stone bruise setback shortly after which delayed her return to the racetrack.