Steeplechase mount for A. Robinson

Press, 22 July 1976, Page 20

Steeplechase mount for A. Robinson

Special Correspondent Dunedin

Alister Robinson will return to riding over fences at Washdyke on Saturday, on Blason in the Teschemaker steeplechase.

Robinson took the mount ;on Blason when another of Brian Kennedy regular [mounts, Terex, accepted for the Teschemaker. Robinson, who rode Bla;son to win the Timaru Steeplechase 12 months ago, will continue his association in the Homeby and Grand •National Steeplechase.

Robinson has confined l himself to flat riding so far ithis winter to allow the j strengthening of an arm he broke twice earlier in the [season. He won the Teschemaker last year on Whio. j I Marion Stevenson has!

brought Blason along with a judicious programme of flat racing and jumping this win-

ter and the nine-year-old may prove a match for Terex, four years his junior, who was the winner of three of his last four starts over country. Regardless of the outcome the race should provide Blason with a valuable stepping stone to the Riccarton carnival. A mount Robinson is compelled to forego on Saturday, Rocky Leigh, will be taken by Russell McAra. Robinson has his promising stable runner, Laurentine in the same race, but it is hard to see her matching Wingatui’s rising star. Laurentine finished ahead of Taralga and clear of fun Lover after covering 8001 metres in 57.4 on a heavy course at Wingatui yester-! day.

Teralaga has had a bone chip removed from a knee since he raced a year ago. Bay River was travelling well alongside Bold Mellay, Rock Lover, and Brave Mell after 1000 metres in 1.9.2, the last 800 in 56.7.