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By Ray Hickson

He might be riding another Bjorn Baker filly in the Golden Slipper but jockey Jason Collett makes it clear he feels Strada Varenna is a smart horse for the future.

Jockey Jason Collett (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Collett rides Within The Law in the big one next week but will attempt to qualify her stablemate for the Slipper via the Group 3 $250,000 Racing And Sports Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday and says he has no doubt she can step up.

The Street Boss filly made a big impression on Collett in her debut win at Canterbury two weeks ago and he's excited to see what she can do with the benefit of that experience.

“She’s definitely up to it, no concerns there. I think this is a stepping stone for her to go to bigger things,’’ Collett said.

“She’s got a heap of natural early speed and is very explosive from the gates, she got across that field easily.

“She was then able to control that race and sprint away which was really encouraging because she’d been quick in her trials but hadn’t been let off the bridle yet.”

Strada Varenna, $2.70 with TAB on Thursday, had to cross from a wide barrier in her debut win and Collett said a slightly more favourable alley will help her run out the 1200m at Rosehill.

That’s the main key to her chances but he’s quite bullish she won’t have any issues.

“She just needs to get the first half of the race right, to get into her rhythm,’’ Collett said.

“I galloped her on Tuesday and I think she’s come on even more.”

If Collett formed a big opinion of Strada Varenna then his impression of the Ciaron Maher-trained State Visit’s debut win would equal it.

The colt left Collett speechless after he swept home to win at Canterbury on February 21 and while drawn the outside in the Group 3 $250,000 TAB Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) he feels the youngster is a real talent.

“I loved his win. Both these two-year-olds, I know they are coming off Friday night wins at Canterbury but it was the way they did it,’’ Collett said.

“I loved the way he attacked the line, he was very unassuming.

“He didn’t show a great abundance of speed, he didn’t seem to be doing a hell of a lot around the turn and got a bit lost but once he straightened up and got a sniff of clear air he was going quicker than I was.

“I was just a passenger, for a two-year-old to attack the line like that it’s not taught. It’s natural.”

Olentia is Collett’s ride in the Group 1 $1m Coolmore Classic (1500m) and he said both her runs this autumn have been full of merit, despite finishing behind the placings.

After dashing home in 32.93 (Punter’s Intelligence) into fourth behind Amelia’s Jewel, who controlled the speed, in the Guy Walter two weeks ago Collett is looking forward to a more generously run race.

“She was a victim of the slow tempo in both starts and she’s drawn unfavourably both times,’’ Collett said.

Strada Varenna wins at Canterbury on February 28

“She’s drawn good this time, she begun well last start so I’d like to be in a closer position than what she has been. She only has a short sprint so the barrier makes it better for her.

“Both runs have been good but when you’re getting back on such slow tempos you’re running home as good as the leaders but you’re giving them four or five lengths at the top of the straight.”

Collett heads to Coonamble on Sunday where he'll partner odds-on favourite Gallant Star in the $150,000 Evergreen Turf WRA Country Championships (1400m).

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