Surprise win by John Robin

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32707, 9 September 1971, Page 9

Surprise win by John Robin

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON. John Robin, trained near Hawera by his owner, L. Caldwell, caused the surprise of the night at Hutt Park yesterday when he led over the last five furlongs of the Country Handicap. The 13-year-old son of Johnny Globe was the outsider of the field and he was also the backmarker on 24 yards. The pace was a slack one and John Robin took over from Cotton Hanover with five furlongs to run. He continued to trot keenly and, although hostly challenged in the run home, he lasted to win by half a length from Tatsy Marie, which trotted roughly in the early stages.

Alcalda was an unlucky third, a short-length from Tatsy Marie. He became badly placed on the rails and was disappointed for an opening in the run home. The favourite, Pacific Star, lost her place in the middle stages and battled on for a close fourth, clear of Honest John. Cotton Hanover and Magic Time broke in the run home.

Top Brass followed two sound races earlier in the season by leading for all but the first furlong and a half in the Welcome Handicap. He set a fairly easy pace and looked to be going comfortably on the home turn, where the field closed up. Totara Jack was still second on the outside, with Great Time awkwardly placed ahead of Light Command. Von John, Winter Queen, and Crystalline. Top Brass responded well for his Pleasant Point owner-trainer, L. G. Smillie, to win by half a length from Great Time, which came home well once properly in the clear. Light Command held on well for third, another

half a length away, well clear of Crystalline, which lost her position on the home turn and looked unlucky. Then came Von John and Winter Queen. FAVOURITE WINS Ebby Globe, a dominating favourite after his second to Al Mundy at Addington last Saturday made no race of the Twilight Handicap. However, his supporters had every cause for concern when he broke as Promite attempted to wrest the lead from him at the fend of two ; furlongs and a half. Ebby Globe soon settled down and went to the front when Promite began to drop away 1 with three furlongs left. From then on the result was not in doubt and he won easily by two lengths and a half from the solid finisher, Broughton. Wadestown was beaten off next, but he crossed the line in a gallop and was subsequently disqualified. Super Joe was promoted to third ahead of Chief Walk and Du Barry. Al Mundy broke badly at the start. Auckland horses filled the first three places in the Electric Handicap, the winner being Unique, a member of R. P. Norton’s Whenuapai team. D. J. Townley gave Unique a beautiful run behind the pacemaker, Beau Frost. He was not asked for an effort until inside the last furlong and responded well to beat Beau Frost by half a head. The firm favourite, Le Charles, after missing the start, was not disgraced when - finishing third, almost four lengths from Beau Frost. Morpheus, which was awkwardly placed until the straight entrance, came on well for fourth ahead of Good Scotch and Kimhell Duke.