Alysha Collett hunting G1 breakthrough at Randwick in The Metropolitan field

Group One-winning New Zealand jockey Alysha Collett will chase her first Australian major when she rides two key contenders at Randwick’s Epsom Handicap day.

Collett has been entrusted with the lightweight rides on Swiftfalcon for Team Hawkes in the prestigious Epsom Handicap (1600m) and Don Diego De Vega for Annabel and Rob Archibald in the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m).

Now a regular in Sydney, Collett has lined up in 17 Group 1s in Australia for two placings and is determined to break through. “The last four of five years I’ve fortunately had really good opportunities in Group Ones and been exposed to them, which is really nice,” she said. “It’s also getting the right opportunities. This year I’ve got really good support which is the main thing. It has been a slow battle but things are going really well.”

Swiftfalcon goes into the Epsom as a $15 chance, stepping out in blinkers for the first time, while Don Diego De Vega is rated a $34 shot after an interrupted start in the Newcastle Cup where he still made late ground. Archibald is confident he will improve sharply. “He only had a couple of weeks off after the Grafton Cup so there is loads of residual there,” she said. “Hopefully he won’t be silly in the gates and it was just a one-off.”

Collett felt the import’s effort was full of merit despite his barrier antics. “He got further back than anticipated but his work to the line was beautifully for a first-up run,” she said.

The rider has already tasted success this spring, capturing the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) and the Premier’s Cup (2000m). On Saturday she will also partner John Thompson’s debutante Legaselli in the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m).

Bettors can follow Alysha Collett’s chances in the Epsom Handicap and Metropolitan with top value markets available at Australia’s best betting sites and trusted online bookmakers.