Race Comment Explainer

Original comment with matches highlighted:

slowly away, in rear, pushed along n rival, past beaten rivals

Matched phrases & meanings

Phrase	Meaning
Pushed along	The jockey started to urge the horse (hand-riding, not necessarily using the whip).
Plugged on	Kept going without showing much pace.
halfway	The horse was patiently ridden up to the middle point
Rear	Running near the back of the field.

Summary

The jockey started to urge the horse (hand-riding, not necessarily using the whip).
Kept going without showing much pace.
The horse was patiently ridden up to the middle point
Running near the back of the field.