By Huki what a win

Just like his sire 13 years ago, diminutive harness racing pacer Huki Fella (Lord Forbes) won today (Sep. 7) at Wyndham.

His sire Lord Forbes (Lordship) was the first horse to break two minutes at the Young Quinn Raceway when he took out the 2010 Wyndham Cup, running the 3200 metres in 3-58.6. In the hands of Matty Williamson he won by five lengths. He ended his racing career as a nine year old with eleven wins and his starts included a run in the New Zealand Cup.

Huki Fella is Lord Forbes first foal and the horse’s breeder and part-owner Gavin Forbes says he’s lucky to be alive.

“When he was born he was her (Deceitndesire) first foal and she spat him into the Huki River. Then she wouldn’t feed him. We went up to the Chaslands and I said to my partner ‘he won’t be alive when we come back’ because the mare was pretty rough on him. It wasn’t long after that Peter (property owner and one of the partners in the horse) rang me up and said ‘I’d better come up and get that horse because he’s beating up his mother.’ I told him she deserved it,” he said.

Forbes trained Huki Fella for his first three starts before he handed the reins to Craig Ferguson. The three year old gelding ran an encouraging second at Winton at his last start and was sent out third favourite today.

From a second line draw he settled last. At the 600 Huki Fella got moving and came three wide with cover. When he straightened up for the run home Ferguson pulled the plugs and he came down the outside of the track to run down Mataura BB (A Rocknroll Dance).

HUKI FELLA REPLAY

“He’s a lovely horse to train but he’s got short man’s disease (laughter). I just get them ready to go because I’m a pensioner and send them to Craig.”

Lord Forbes’ only other foal of racing age is Louies Girl. The two year old filly also trained by Forbes, had three starts in her first preparation with two of those in group races.

Forbes says Louies Girl is now also with Ferguson.

He says when Lord Forbes finished his racing career that was going to be it.

“Both him and I were going to retire at the same time, but time went by and I got itchy feet. And I thought ‘bugger it I might as well breed a foal and see what it does.”

Forbes spent most of his working life at the Bluff Waterfront and the local freezing works where he was a butcher.

Lord Forbes received notoriety during his racing career.  It was after one of his wins in the province that the horse made one of two pub visits. Drivers Ricky May and Dexter Dunn were in the house when the little guy was walked into the Sportsman’s Bar at the Ascot Park Hotel in Invercargill.

Lord Forbes’ second visit to a drinking establishment occurred a few years later in celebration of his ‘manhood’. He’d served his first mare so of course he was taken to the Woodlands Tavern to celebrate!

As this story goes to press we’re not sure whether any pub visits are planned.

The Steve and Amanda Telfer trained Aardie’s Express (Always B Miki) was back in the winning groove in Race Six today.

After an uncharacteristic break at her last start at Addington the classy mare ventured south and has duly won.

It was the four year old mare’s ninth career win and her third in the province where she remains unbeaten. Her biggest win was at Invercargill in the $49,000 Group Two Southern Oaks.

Driver Tim Williams stayed out of the early rush from barrier eight before he progressed forward, taking the lead at the 1200 metres. From there it was easy peasy and Aardie’s Express went down to the wire to win by three and a half lengths from Life Of Art (Art Major) who trailed for most of the trip. Her winning time was 1-55.7 with the last quarter run in a slick 26.8.

Grey gelding Dem Bones Dem Bones (Monkey Bones) won Race Five.

The Matthew Williamson trained gelding was in the zone today and was spotted asleep in his stall before today’s races.

Williamson gave him the prefect trip and he got home nicely to win by half a head from favourite Switch On (Bacardi Lindy). It was Dem Bones Dem Bones fourth career win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink