Forward March Wins Hutt Free-For-All

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31305, 27 February 1967, Page 4

Forward March Wins Hutt Free-For-All

“The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON. Forward March, which has raced consistently and without a great deal of luck this season, took the Thompson Trotting Free-for-all at Hutt Park on Saturday night.

Forward March’s time of 3:10 3-5 clipped two seconds off the record held jointly by Dianthus Girl and Control for a trotter over a mile and a half at the raceway.

The Thompson Free-for-all was Ford March’s first success since the Spring Handicap at Addington 17 months ago. She was then being raced on lease by Mr T. E. Meale, of Wellington, but when the lease expired last season Forward March was returned to her owner, Mr C. L. Rhodes, of Christchurch. In view of her consistency, Forward March returned an outsized dividend on Saturday but much credit for her win must go to the driver, M.

Holmes. Holmes had not been having one of his best seasons but he showed that he is still a reinsman of great skill by his handling of Forward March.

After starting from the second line Holmes steered the mare into a trailing position behind the pacemaker Uteena, before the end of two furlongs. On the home turn Forward March was still tucked in behind Uteena. Holmes moved off the fence rounding the bend but waited till well inside the last furlong before getting to work in earnest.

The tactics paid off and Forward March won a tight finish by edging past Uteena in the last few strides and holding off a strong late bid by French Pass.

It was a fine effort by French Pass, also at good odds, considering his consis-

tency this season. He was buried three deep on the fence till late and once clear came home strongly. After having the run of the race behind Light Silk, Frosty Heather was brought into a challenging position by J. B. Noble at the furlong and he ran down Light Silk in the last 50 yards of the McPhail Handicap, the second leg of the double.

The double paid £lB6 7s for £l. An outsider, Colours Flying, finished on for third ahead of the favourite Gaylee, which did well after breaking early, and Wee Herb which finished well after racing without a trail for the last mile. The second and third favourites, Morris Scot and Tutta Tryax, both of which started from 12 yards, were not close enough to threaten.