CROSBY, Ont. - It seems NDP Leader Howard Hampton isn't as left-leaning as he thought.
Hampton and his orange tractor beat out both Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory and Premier Dalton McGuinty for plowing in the straightest line at the International Plowing Match in Crosby, Ont., on Tuesday.
All three went head-to-head on coloured tractors -- red for McGuinty and blue for Tory -- at a separate VIP match as they courted farmers for the Oct. 10 vote.
It wasn't McGuinty's first time on a tractor since the Liberal leader has participated in the plowing match many times during his political career. But his experience didn't translate into victory.
Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory concentrated hard as he slowly drove his plow toward the finish line. The businessman said the experience gave him a whole new appreciation for the work of farmers.
"You do have to concentrate,'' he said afterward. "It's a science and it's an art and it's a great skill. It's good that we should do this so we can learn about that.''
Judge Murray Manley appraised the leaders' plowing styles and proclaimed the winner.
"Mr. McGuinty started out really well, but his last furrow was a little bit light, so maybe that will carry on to his political career,'' Manley told the crowd.
"Mr. Tory had kind of a rough go because he had a lot of stones in his travels. I would advise him to check on what he has said in the past and clear up those things.''
Hampton's orange tractor ultimately prevailed, Manley said.
"He did the best job of the plowing -- perhaps he pulled a better piece of equipment and a better choice of soil,'' he said. "I congratulate them all.''
