Racing: Young Forbes following in some well known footsteps

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A new name sprouted in the jockeys' ranks for Te Rapa on Saturday - Alex Forbes.

But only the christian name was unfamiliar to racing fans with decent memories.

Alex Forbes is the grandson of Rod Forbes, who became one of the more prominent New Zealand jockeys when he moved from Australia in the 1950s.

Known as "Kanga" for obvious reasons, Rod Forbes hogged the headlines for a couple of his rides, not the least when he won the Great Northern Foal Stakes on smart galloper Second Earl at Ellerslie the day Yahabeebe won her first Railway Handicap.

A rein broke on Second Earl during the race, which had Forbes in trouble, but he still managed to land the colt the winner up against the outside running rail easily beating two later topliners Up And Coming and Jalna.

The second occasion was much less palatable. When riding in a tight finish at Paeroa, Forbes' horse shied in the closing strides and speared the Australian head-first into the concrete base of the winning post, nearly killing him.

Alex Forbes' father Graeme was apprenticed to the O'Sullivan stable.

Graeme Forbes produced the first ride for his son on Saturday, Kash Up, who was unplaced in Race 9.