Tony Robb has winning drive

Press, 5 December 1979, Page 32

Tony Robb has winning drive

From P. J. Mein Timaru The successful jumps jockey Tony Robb, broke fresh ground when he partnered Tawhai Blue to the easiest of wins in the Second Ashbury Handicap at Washdyke yesterday. Robb, having only the fifth drive of his career, skipped the gelding away to an early lead, and turned the race into a procession, cruising effortlessly away to win by three and a quarter lengths over the luckless Friendly Chase. Tawhai Blue’s only; real challenger over the final' 100 m. In seven years as a jockey Robb gained 92 wins, the' majority over hurdles and; steeples, when riding from the Rex Cochrane stables at Gore. His most notable success was winning the Great Western Steeplechase on Enceeoh in 1972. Robb, ably filled the driving breech left open when Tawhai Blue s owner-trainer. Slim Dykman, was suspend-

ed until after January 3 after an incident at Addington Raceway last month. Tawhai Blue, having the fourth start of his career, triumphed as favourite in a smart 3min 26.35. Friendly Chase, Tahwai Blue’s best-backed rival, finished on well from well back, with Glenmark Drive beaten off third. Hands Down was no less impressive in winning the Third Ashbury Handicap. The Armbro Del four-year-old broke at the start, and was one of the last to settle. However, Peter Jones moved the gelding forward to catch the [main bunch, and pressed on 1 three wide 1300 m from home to be in a challenging position on the tum. He ran on too strongly to win comfortably by two lengths from One [Score and the pacemaker, Counsellor. Owned at Omarama by Mr Bill McAughtrie, Hands Down is a grandson of Snowline, a 2min performer some years ago.