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By Ray Hickson

Jason Collett says he’s been on a learning curve this spring with talented filly Within The Law and now the barrier Gods have smiled on him he hopes to put what he’s learned to good use at Randwick on Saturday.

Jockey Jason Collett (Pic: Bradley Photos).

It’s a timely change of fortune for the Bjorn Baker-trained filly who reaches the Group 1 $750,000 Darley Flight Stakes (1600m) after having to concede big starts from wide barriers in her past two lead up runs.

Collett said both her fifth in the Furious and sixth in the Tea Rose told him Within The Law is on target and he’ll be planning to make some use of barrier two.

“I’ve been learning more about her. She is better when she gets a bit of room,’’ he said.

“The mile will suit her fine, we haven’t had a great deal of luck.

“Last start I tried to put her in the race a bit and bit backfired badly. She wasn’t as good as we know she is so the draw is a huge plus for us.”

Within The Law, $7.50 with TAB on Thursday, was runner-up in the Champagne Stakes back in the autumn and is one of only three fillies in the Flight to have already been tested at the mile.

While there’s a high degree of respect from Collett for the ruling favourite Apocalyptic he’s looking forward to taking her on with a scenario that favours his mount, both from a barrier and preparation perspective.

“I wasn’t sure about Apocalyptic but her performance last start definitely justifies her being favourite, she did it the hard way and was too good,’’ he said.

“If you take her away I feel they’re very much on the same page.

“We’ve had a good grounding for the mile, she missed the 1400m run in the autumn and that could have been the difference on why she didn’t hold on in the Champagne.

“She’ll get a softer run during the middle of the race and she’ll have more to play with at the finish.”

The Baker stable provides Collett with his rides in the two-year-old events and he’s keen to see how Masvingo has advanced going into the Group 3 $250,000 Keeneland Gimcrack Stakes (1000m).

The Zoustar filly won her trial back on September 22 and Collett felt there’s more to come from her with the benefit of the hitout.

“I liked her, she was a bit steady in her jump out before the trial and then she improved,’’ he said.

“Once she was outside lead and I asked her to go on with it she had a good look around.

“She’s probably better chasing and she’ll get that on Saturday, there’ll be a few quicker than her and it will allow her to have something to hunt down.”

Paradoxium will renew acquaintances with I’m Ya Huckleberry in the Group 3 $250,000 Arrowfield Breeders’ Plate (1000m) after they met in their heat at the official trials.

Of his effort in running second, Collett said he was more than happy with it given how things worked early (or didn’t) for him and he sees gate one as a big plus.

“He got chewed out early in the trial and then he over raced,’’ he said.

“I got him to come back and then it was time to quicken up. His gallop on Tuesday was really good and he’s come on from that trial.”

Meanwhile, Collett will likely be in control of the speed in the Group 2 $1m Precise Air Premiere Stakes (1200m) when he rides Mazu once again.

Within The Law's last start at Randwick on September 20

The gelding ran them along in the Shorts two weeks ago and Collett felt he held on pretty well to run fourth.

“He was bang on the other day and he had the speed so I thought there was no point being dictated to by these other runners, I’ll allow him to be a fast horse,’’ he said.

“And I thought his performance was pretty good.”

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