Racing: Sydney stint for Collett

Alysha Collett. Photo / Natalie Slade

Pukekohe apprentice Alysha Collett starts a two-week stint with leading trainer Chris Waller on Monday and plans are already in place for her brother Jason to return to Sydney.

Alysha has been given the opportunity to experience the Sydney racing scene as part of an initiative Waller sponsors in conjunction with the Auckland Racing Club.

One New Zealand apprentice each year is chosen to spend two weeks with the Waller stable in Sydney.

Jason came to Sydney as part of the initiative a couple of years ago and made such an impression that Waller lured him back on a three-month loan last season.

Waller said Jason Collett was set to return for another Sydney stint next month.

"We are trying to get him back and he has an open invitation," Waller said. "I'd like him to be here now but I think he's keen to win the apprentices' premiership over there.

"I think he's going to come back for the first part of the [2012-13] season at least."

Jason Collett won 24 city races in three months at the back end of last season having made the most out of his two-week trip the year before.

Alysha Collett, 18, has ridden 101 winners in New Zealand including two at stakes level. She is likely to kick off her Sydney stay by riding at the Rosehill barrier trials next Tuesday.

"It's a good experience for them," Waller said. "Jason really made a mark here when he first came over and he has been back a few times since. We send them out to ride for Gai [Waterhouse] a couple of mornings and send them to Warwick Farm to ride for a couple of trainers there.

"Riding gallops with the likes of Nash Rawiller, Hugh Bowman and Glyn Schofield gives them an idea of how professional it is here and they can then go back and have learned a lot from the experience."

Jason Collett leads the New Zealand apprentices' title with 79 wins with Alysha equal second on 58.

•A filly bought for just A$800 as a birthday present gets the chance to continue the unbeaten start to her career when she lines up in town for the first time today.

Bradbury Chocolate has taken all before her so far in the bush and is favourite to make a winning introduction to Brisbane racing in the Timeform QTIS 3YO Handicap (1110m) at Doomben, which will be her seventh race start.

-AAP