That decision paid off in spades as apprentice Jordan Nason produced a heady ride that saw him dominate from in front despite being a stride slow from the barriers.
"I said to Jordan he would probably miss the start as that's just a quirk he has," explained Forbes. "The plan was to get him to the front if he could and then stack them up to around the 600 metre mark. Once he got there I told him to get rolling and try and take the back markers out of play.
"To his credit Jordan rode him beautifully and did exactly what I asked."
Forbes will now look to give his charge his opportunity at a feature event with a eye to bigger plans next season. "As long as he comes through Saturday well we might take him to Awapuni on the 1st of April for a Listed 1400 metre race."
- NZ Racing Desk