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By Tony Megahey

If the punting public was permitted into the theatre of Royal Randwick on Saturday and was aware of the TAB Highway comeback circumstances of battling Goulburn trainer Scott Collings, he’d generate the largest if silent support base with promising mare Ten Bells ($18 on TAB).

After parting with premiership training partner Keith Dryden three seasons ago and then suffering a serious track accident, Collings was really struggling to survive with a small team.

Ten Bells (Blaike McDougall) scores at Goulburn. Image by Bradley Photographers

And soon after, Scott wondered what might have been when Dryden celebrated his greatest achievement winning the $1.3 million The Kosciuszko in 2019 with Handle the Truth.

A talent, Scott rode regular trackwork and travelled with for an original Highway success and subsequent quality races.

However, courage and perseverance are in the DNA of Scott who hasn’t raced in town since early last year.

He’s gradually rebuilt with 10 wins last season and a couple of newbies including Ten Bells.

The former jockey has high hopes the four-year-old bargain yearling buy at $10,000 can provide a series breakthrough.

“She’s exciting, we gave her plenty of time to develop after some issues and haven’t seen anywhere near the best of her,” Scott enthused into a TAB $100,000 Class 2, 1000m on 55kg for Jason Collett.

"Blaike (McDougall) said after she won at Goulburn, while she looked impressive, she’s still learning."

The capacity flyer is a popular entrée to the mouth-watering main course of the Winx Stakes and the return of the world-class Verry Elleegant. It’s an occasion of its own for Scott and Ten Bells.

“For a mare so lightly raced she’s already got that ideal balance. Can possie up with a turn of foot she closes strongly and just gives her all - and she handles all conditions.

“Goulburn was a heavy nine and she got over the top of them. But guarantee she’s better on firm, her Wagga win was on a good four. I ride her all work, she’s a gem.

“Blaike said there’s a lot better races in this mare. Importantly, the third horse she beat at Goulburn (Smuggler’s Run) has won since at Canberra. So, we thought we had every reason for a crack at this level of prizemoney.”

With the jockey travel restrictions, Collett takes over from prolific regional premiership winner McDougall.

Meanwhile, Collings had little option in parting with Dryden after a regional premiership. And it was amicable as Scott still pre-trains for Keith.

Four-decade trainer Dryden had wanted Scott - his long time pre-trainer and trackwork rider - to relocate to Canberra when Keith decided to close his Goulburn satellite stable for economic and travelling issues.

However, for family reasons it was impossible. He and his wife Debbie had called Goulburn home for a long time.

They had stables in proximity to the track, his son Hayden had just started high school with close mates in Goulburn and was a promising young regional rep footballer who eventually represented NSW in Rugby Union.

“Keith and I are fine, for a while I still pre-trained a few for him but he’s based in the ACT, I’ve got 15 in work now at Goulburn and that’s more than enough.”

After Scott’s accident, fortunes finally turned when his speedster Bombdiggity emerged, won an early treble and eventually four more races.

“Bombdiggity gave us a real kick along, he got beaten in a photo in a Highway when he looked home. He’s back in work and some of his connections are in Ten Bells, so it just might be their day.

"I did win a few Highways with Keith, but not on my own - Bombdiggity wet real close. Blaike and I agreed, this mare was well worth the trip.

“We’ll use the good gate. We need a fast tempo because she’ll close off and at ‘1000’ you’d think that’ll be the case.

“But it’ll be a great day for those lucky enough with an essential working permit - the Group races, Winx Stakes and that champion mare.”

Ironically, Collings is likely to be opposed by Dryden’s impressive Wagga Wagga winner, Emma’s Gift ($12). While she’s an emergency, several acceptors are yet to declare riders significantly from outside draws.

Dryden is nearing two dozen Highway wins, the latest at headquarters three weeks ago with Dream Runner. Then landing a massive plunge generated by the early booking of James McDonald.

Meanwhile, with no general public on a tremendous card, headquarters will seem like a planet away from the theatre of 2019 when Dryden won regional racing’s greatest race. Royal Randwick is currently a Good 4.

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