Confrontation with conference

Press, 13 April 1978, Page 22

Confrontation with conference

■ Special correspondent Blenheim 1 The Matangi . owner-trainer, ; Leo Robinson, is having a con- i ; frontation with the New Zealand] I Racing Conference—his second ’ lin 12 months.' Robinson is currently touring! ' the South Island with a team| either ow ner-trained bv himself I lor trained by his son. W. L.I j Robinson, who holds a public I i licence. Where the son is concerned* Mr Robinson is an employee of; the public stable. Under the ! ■ Rules of Racing an employee is, unable to be away from his stable for more than 28 days, i ' This may be increased with the I permission of the president of ! the New Zealand Racing Confer- j ence. Mr Robinson’s 28-day absence, expired yesterday—the final day i at Blenheim—and he asked for ! ’ an extension to race his charges at Westport and Hokitika. The conference refused to i grant the extension. Last winter, Robinson, sen., was involved in conflict with the Racing Conference on a breach' of the rules involving an owner-1 : trainer. This was waived on a 5 • technicality. ’ Mr Robinson feels that he is being victimised by the confer- i ence. with the decision not to extend his leave of absence. “I feel that they want to ret i back at me after the other* affair was waived.” Mr Robinson : said. j The trip to Westport is still i on though. “I found a way to get , the matter,” he said. “Either I bring my son down to supervise the team, or I can place * them in another trainer’s hands for the rest of the southern trip.” There would be a major inconvenience to bring his son south. Mr Robinson added. “He ’ is verv, very busy at home with: J the other horses.” 1