Collett making his mark again in Sydney

By Mathew Toogood

SYDNEY, Aug 25 AAP - A stronger and smarter Jason Collett has taken little time to re-establish himself in Sydney racing and booted home another winner aboard Thumbtacks at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

Last season's champion New Zealand apprentice returned to Australia earlier this month to link again with premier trainer Chris Waller after a successful three-month stint last year.

The fighting victory of Thumbtacks over Bello in the JJJ Baldacchino Family Handicap (1600m) was Collett's third city win from just nine rides since returning to Sydney.

"As long as I can keep kicking home some winners I'll be happy," Collett said.

"I've got to challenge myself.

"I finish my apprenticeship in a month-and-a-half and then I'm a senior rider. I want to have a good crack at it over here."

Collett rode 24 city winners in his previous Sydney stay and said he would have made the permanent move sooner had it not been for a bad fall in a race in New Zealand last December.

"I had a bleed to the brain and was out for four months so that put things back a few months," he said.

Thumbtacks ($5) hit the front at the top of the straight after reeling in the weakening leader Madam Nash and also Honourable Aussie, before fending off the challenge of Bello ($8) over the final 200m to win by a neck.

Exceed And Exalt ($5.50) came in another 2-1/2 lengths away in third.

The victory brought up an early double for Waller who was full of praise for Collett and also Thumbtacks, who'll will be set for the Villiers Stakes in December.

"Jason has had very few rides since he's been back and that's his third winner for us," Waller said.

"He's come back stronger and smarter."