Collins and Richards will combine on Gotta Want It in the $150,000 SDRA Country Championships Qualifier (1400m) at Albury.

Remarkably, it will only be Collins' second starter as a trainer after gaining her licence in December.

Collins gained her licence in order to train Gotta Want It, a mare she and Caroline Mackinnon purchased for just $500. The bargain buy has already amassed $46,000 in earnings for the pair.

The ride has already been a remarkable one for Collins, who admits to being full of nerves ahead of the biggest moment of her and Gotta Want It's short career.

"I'm pumped but very nervous," Collins said.

"It's not very often that you get your trainer's licence for not even two months and now you're going to a Championships Qualifier."

Adding to the occasion is the fact she will share the moment with her partner, Richards.

The Wagga apprentice jockey has made a successful start to his career in the saddle and is no stranger to big races, having ridden in the Wagga Gold Cup and Town Plates last year.

Richards has ridden Gotta Want It in all seven of her race starts and Collins insists she would not have it any other way.

"It's exciting. It's good, as long as he does what he's told," Collins laughed.

"Nah its good, we're a pretty good partnership. Josh has ridden her at all of her starts and I wouldn't want to have anyone else on her."

Richards is looking forward to the occasion and could not be happier for Collins.

"It will be good," Richards said.

"I probably didn't think something like this would happen so soon. I'm pretty happy for Maddy to get a horse of this ability and form so that she can go in a race like the Championships."

Gotta Want It, a winner of three of her seven starts, is a $15 chance with TAB. Richards believes the mare is ready to run the race of her life.

"She can definitely give them a run for their money," he said.

"It could be really interesting. I think she's a chance the way she's been going. It's not going to be the easiest race, it's a tough one. I think there's three or four there that are all going to be finishing off together.

"She's got a good barrier, so that makes things easier for her. I'm really looking forward to it."

Collins is happy with Gotta Want It heading into the feature.

"We're drawn favourably and are second up," she said.

"He won second up last prep at Canberra and the prep before he had an issue with his second up run so we'll scratch that. His second up form is good.

"He'll take fitness from the first up run, he went into that a little bit underdone. The 1400 first up was a bit of a tough ask but he came through it fighting and came third. After the barrier draw, I'm pretty confident he should be right there in the end."

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