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By Ray Hickson

Jockey Jason Collett is adamant there’s more to talented colt Sejardan at the start of his races but it’ll be the finish that’ll tell him the most in Saturday’s Group 2 $250,000 Furphy Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill.

Jockey Jason Collett. (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Only Collett could see Sejardan spring from the stalls and race handy amidst the fog that hid much of his latest trial from the public until he poked through to win the 787m gallop over Bacchanalia.

While he’s not likely to be able to make use of what could be a secret weapon on Saturday, Collett is adamant he’s not riding a one-dimensional galloper.

“He had an inside gate and he ended up leading the trial on the fence but a length back off the Godolphin runner,’’ Collett said.

“He’s begun well in both trials and I think you will find he’s not necessarily going to have to be out the back like he was as a two-year-old.

“It was a slowly run heat thought and that’s not to say we would do anything drastic on Saturday from that gate (10) but if he was to draw softer next start he could be handier.”

Sejardan enjoyed a super two-year-old season winning the Breeders’ Plate on debut plus the $1 million Golden Gift and the Group 2 Todman Stakes but luck eluded him in the Golden Slipper.

With the Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) as his first mini-grand final for the spring all eyes will be on how he returns at three with Collett and trainer Gary Portelli both enthusiastic about what’s ahead.

“He’s come back stronger and we’ll get a good idea of where he’s going to be best aimed towards, whether he’s going to get out over further or whether he is going to be more a sprinter,’’ he said.

“He had the frame, that was always there, and he’s got a great head on him but I think he’s growing into that frame now.”

Collett said barrier 10 will mean he’ll need to ride Sejardan, $8.50 with TAB on Thursday, as he did as a two-year-old and is hoping he can get the sort of run that allows him to produce his turn of foot.

The presence of Best Of Bordeaux, who led the Slipper, plus the likes of Sweet Ride and Swiss Exile should ensure at least some early tempo.

“His fate will be dictated by how quick or slow they want to go in front,’’ Collett said.

“There doesn’t look to be a strong tempo. But either way you’d like to see him hitting the line strong.

"I think the 1400m is going to suit him really well so this is a nice dress rehearsal.

“If he’s attacking the line strongly we’ll know he is in for a good three-year-old season.”

Sejardan emerges from the fog to win a trial at Warwick Farm on August 29

Group 1 winner Startantes reunites with Collett after their Tatt’s Tiara win back in the Brisbane winter and the jockey is also looking for a pointer to the future in her first-up performance in the Group 2 $250,000 Irresistible Pools Sheraco Stakes (1200m).

Trainer Robert Heathcote has said with 58kg she will be in need of the run but Collett, who was also narrowly beaten in the Group 1 Surround Stakes on Startantes earlier this year, expects her to put in as he usually does.

“She’s carrying top weight and she does improve as the prep goes on,’’ he said.

“I’d like to see her hitting the line as well as she can.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting