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By Tony Megahey

The training flame might have waned for a time with Moruya’s accomplished Colbey Hill, but racing was ingrained, and it took a “scrawny little thing” in speedy Howgoodisvegas to ignite a revival.

Moruya’s career horsewoman, twice a Royal Randwick winner when licensed in 2007 and a Wagga Town Plate triumph, returned to training in the new season after extended time out.

Howgoodisvegas (Kayla Nisbet) bolts in at Sapphire Coast. Image by Bradley Photographers

Colbey has rebuilt her stable to six, still rides her own work and has trained an admirable three winners from 17 starters, including tiny flyer Howgoodisvegas.

Discarded as a maiden by the strong regional stables of Team Price and Kerry Parker, the five-year-old mare, broke through from a spell with impressive speed and fast time at Sapphire by a wide margin.

She takes the next step in a Queanbeyan Class I, 1000m on Sunday again for Kayla Nisbet, with 55kg dropping 2kg from her maiden win.

“Kayla was rapt in the way she won, the acceleration, she said there was so much upside and wanted to be on her next time,” Colbey enthused.

“We were entered for Braidwood but drew wide, too big an ask for a little girl, so we waited for Queanbeyan.

“When she came here after a spell she was just a scrawny little thing, so lightly framed, but had that speed if we could bring out her best.

“l ride her all work, she kept improving, trialled really well and brought it to the races.

“She’s obviously up in grade, bigger field but we’re positive drawn inside with the speed she showed at Sapphire.

“Her owners gave her a good long break and she started to thrive, won really well off the trial and she’s still progressing. She’s such a little girl but wants to be a racehorse.”

Colby with the momentum of three winners from a small team, explains her extended break.

“I needed time out from training, if you’ve only got ordinary horses you need supportive owners and be patient until it turns.

“But I stayed involved riding regular work for other trainers at Moruya, still do, it’s my passion.”

Colbey had an incredible start to training. Her very first winner was at Randwick with Midnight City, Approach the Bench also won at headquarters and took out the Wagga Town Plate.

“I went to town because they were city class before issues and riding them work, they gave me the feel they were still good enough. I still do all the work with my own, we’re gradually building and always looking for the opportunity to expand.”

Queanbeyan is a Good 4 track in fine weather.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Queanbeyan here