Greg Robinson wins narrowly at Auckland

Press, 6 April 1981, Page 24

Greg Robinson wins narrowly at Auckland

Auckland Greg Robinson wound up his Easter Cup preparation with a narrow but good win in the Citizen Handicap, first leg o c the T.A.B. double at the Auckland Trotting Clubs meeting at Alexandra Park on Saturday evening. In an action-packed finish the favourite, John Tudor, staved off all but the last challenge which came from the backmarker Greg Robinson, to go down by a half head. , t After an almost perfect start bv the seven runners Brase was the only one to break — the pace was on. Waitoa took the pace and lead the field through the first half with John Tudor well placed midfield and Greg Robinson settled at the rear of the main bunch. Tommy Knowles sent John Tudor around to challenge approaching the 1200 m mark and wound up parked out after Berryman, which had been in the trail early and had taken the pace from Waitoa, refused to surrender the lead. . , x Once into the straight John Tudor mastered Berryman and looked set to hold off any challengers but Greg Robinson was not to denied. 1

I Just short of the line John Tudor seemed to fade just a little and the deciding margin went to Greg Robinson with Berryman running into third, only three-quarters of length behind John Tudor.

Max Robinson will now take Greg Robinson to Addington to contest the Easter Cup but as yet is unsure how he will travel.

Robinson will almost certainly take his seven-year-old gelding to Christchurch by road. Last Chance proved far too strong for her opposition when she won the Lion Handicap, second leg of the T.A.B. double. After beginning well, Last Chance went to the front and after the first 200 tn never looked in danger. Driven by the South Island reinsman, Kevin Towney, who had travelled to Auckland by air earlier in the day, Last Chance won by two and quarter lengths from Yarver.

Last Chance was brought north for the Breeders’ Stakes at the Franklin Trotting Club’s meeting at Alexandra Park next Friday night and judging by her performance on Saturday night she is going to be tough to beat.