Colby Hands Hancock A Third Lismore Maiden Title

SPEEDY youngster Colby has emulated the deeds of his mother Laverne and annexed the rich Ladbrokes sponsored Lismore Maiden Final (420m) on Tuesday night.

In a fantastic finish to the $20,000-to-the-winner final, Colby staved off a late challenge from kennelmate Pike to land the race in a slick 24.18, handing trainer Frank Hancock his third victory in the series, his previous wins courtesy of Laverne (2014) and Battistuzzi Miss (2015).

Back in July, Hancock elected to spell Colby for an extended time following two indifferent performances at Lismore where the regally bred son of Barcia Bale failed to live up to expectations.

And that time and perseverance has handsomely rewarded Hancock – with Colby returning to racing as a much more mature chaser – as highlighted with Tuesday night's slashing feature maiden triumph.

Boasting the two fastest qualifiers in the annual Lismore feature, Hancock was expected to play a strong hand in proceedings.

But those expectations were slightly tempered at the box draw with Colby drawing five while fastest qualifier Pike drew trap seven.

A brilliant getaway set up Colby's victory, with the performance of runner-up Pike extremely meritorious.

Giving his tearaway kennelmate a hefty start, Pike ran the winner to just half-a-length on the line, the son of Ando's Mac confirming Hancock's assessment that he's going to much more comfortable at the 500-metre journey.