After losing a horse to injury at trackwork, then losing a race on protest, it had not been a good day for the Wagga trainer.

But Noble Descent ($1.70) lifted the stable’s spirits with a strong win in the Jaegers Event Hire Benchmark 66 Handicap (1600m), which was also a heat of the Rising Star Series for apprentice jockeys.

Blaike McDougall brought Noble Descent with a well-timed run to win by 1½ lengths from Butler Butler ($4.40) and Heysen ($21.00).

“It’s been a bad day alright,” Colvin said.

“That makes it a bit better. It was good to get that one.”

That made it two wins and a second placing for Noble Descent this preparation, in his second campaign back from a serious tendon injury.

Colvin has the $32,000 Ted Ryder Cup in his sights for Noble Descent.

“He’ll go to the Ted Ryder Cup. I just don’t have a race for him in between so I’m not sure what we’ll do there,” he said.

“He lightened off a bit after his last win so we’ll back off him a bit. 

“Don’t worry, he was a real worry this horse (with injury) but the three runs he had last preparation, he didn’t do much but we just turned him out while everything was going good and he’s come back in good order.”

Earlier in the day, Coolyboss was first past the post at just her second start but lost the race on protest.

“I didn’t think we had much hope so I accepted the protest loss,” he said.

“She’s still very green.”

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