Alysha Collett is set to make her first ride on Hollywood Hero in the upcoming Coffs Harbour Cup on Friday, aiming to maintain her unbeaten record in the event. The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding will be making his debut at Coffs Harbour, with the race marking nearly five years since Collett’s own initial appearance at the track in 2021.

Collett’s previous ride at Coffs Harbour was aboard Itz Lily, a granddaughter of champion mare Tycoon Lil, which secured victory in the 2021 Cup. Reflecting on that day, Collett recalled Itz Lily’s win as the highlight of an otherwise slow race day and noted the lengthy journey home was well worth the effort. Itz Lily, now retired to stud, had a distinguished career both in New Zealand and Australia, including wins in the 1000 Guineas, the New Zealand Oaks, and the 1998 Canterbury Guineas where she triumphed over male competitors.

Hollywood Hero comes from a strong lineage as well, counted among his relatives New Zealand fillies Savvy Cup and Probabeel, enhancing his appeal at the 2021 NZB Ready To Run Sale when he was purchased by Baker for $600,000. The Waikato Stud-bred gelding has justified that investment with career earnings exceeding $700,000 this season alone, and connections remain optimistic about his prospects.

Collett highlighted the horse’s inherent talent but noted that consistency has been a factor in his performances. “He has stacks of ability, he just needs to piece it all together on the day,” she said, expressing confidence that Hollywood Hero would be a strong contender in a competitive field.

Hollywood Hero last secured a win at Randwick on May 24, 2022, where he crossed the line ahead of ten rivals over the mile distance. Since then, his results include respectable placings against quality opposition, including a sixth-place finish in the South Grafton Cup on July 12, a race which also carried Big Dance eligibility. Collett praised that effort, pointing out the challenges posed by the barrier draw.

For additional insight into Hollywood Hero’s racing tendencies, Collett may turn to her brother Jason, who rode the gelding in the 2023 Big Dance, where the horse finished mid-pack in a field of twenty. In the following year’s Little Dance, Hollywood Hero improved markedly to place a close second, finishing just a half-head behind Osipenko in the $750,000 event.

Friday’s Coffs Harbour Cup represents an opportunity for Hollywood Hero to secure his first win at the course while bolstering his credentials ahead of future engagements scheduled at Randwick this November.