Apprentice Jason Collett made his short trip to Sydney worthwhile with victory on the Chris Waller-trained Savannah’s Choice at Rosehill on Saturday.
With a jockey shortage due to the Victoria Derby meeting in Melbourne, Waller called on New Zealand-based Collett to return to Sydney for the week and he booted home Savannah’s Choice in the Always Recycling Handicap (1500m).
Collett’s visit included riding at Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting as well as at Gosford on Thursday, Canterbury on Friday night and Rosehill on Saturday.
“It’s good to come over and get some nice rides from Chris,” Collett said.
“I had two winners from two rides at Gosford on Thursday and five rides for three thirds on Friday night, but this is the first city winner for the week.”
Collett spent three months on loan to Waller earlier this year and made a big impression winning 28 races including 24 in the Sydney metropolitan area.
He opted against extending his stay fulltime but said the short visit this week was worthwhile.
“It worked in well with what was happening in New Zealand,” Collett said.
“It was a bit of an off-week so I seized the opportunity and it’s nice to get a winner.”
Savannah’s Choice ($4.80 equal fav) returned with a first-up win at Canterbury earlier this month and made it back-to-back wins this preparation with her long-neck victory over Winner Take All ($7) with Hide ‘N’ Dash ($31) another head away third in a driving finish.
AAP TURF
