Fresh from winning a fourth Southern District trainer’s premiership, Sutherland started the new season in style by going back-to-back in the Cup at Forbes.

Willy White Socks ($7.50) was guided to victory by apprentice jockey Billy Owen, while stablemate and last year’s winner, Gentleman Max ($8.50) ran fourth.

Willy White Socks held off the fast-finishing Marquee ($9.50).

Southern District was strongly represented in the Forbes Cup, with Leeton veteran Zarreig running sixth and Zarlu eighth. 

Sutherland was thrilled to win the race with Willy White Socks.

“I’m very happy with this horse. He raced super the other day (to finish second) at Narrandera and he’s just a little horse that’s getting better and better all the time and he deserved this,” Sutherland said after the race.

The victory was Willy White Socks’ ninth from 64 career starts and pushed his career earnings past $200,000. 

Not a bad return for a $2000 purchase out of a paddock at Henty.

Wagga jockey Nick Heywood, who finished second in the Cup, rode a double at Forbes, while Mick Travers also had success.

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