First wins for both horse and trainer at Cambridge

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

Driving a $62 outsider in a six horse field, no-one gave trainer-driver Leah Hibell much chance of success at Cambridge on Thursday night. 

But the talented junior driver claimed her first training success and Moenui Miss had her first win at her 42nd start when they took out the Thank You Vicky Riley Mobile.

"I was ecstatic  ... over the moon," says Hibell. 

The whip flourish at the finish said it all.

"I got a warning for that, but you only train your first winner once don't you?" 

Moenui Miss, a Downbytheseaside five-year-old, was an $8000 purchase from the sales in 2020. She started with Trent Yesberg before heading north to Scott Dickson and now Hibell.

"Scott and Lydia (Pickford) pretty much gave her to me, they have been very good to me."

Hibell was aggressive from the start before getting the trail behind Ocean Belle. Moenui Miss then got the perfect passing lane run to get home by half a length. 

"I thought once I got round the bend and everyone looked a bit flat that I was going to win," says Hibell.

"She's really improved in the past few weeks," says Hibell, "we've changed a few things around and she's had some treatments done on her back."

Moenui Miss is part of a small team Hibell trains at Cambridge Raceway around her day job at Arna Donnelly's stables.

It was her sixth driving win for the year, equalling her personal best for a season.

Now that she is a race-winning trainer however took the victory to a whole new level and she is keen to "grow and improve" in 2026.