There were plenty of surprises related to Robyns Playboy’s win at Wyndham today.
With a winning margin of an impressive nine and a half lengths, and a time of 2-53.0 – a new track and Southland record for both three year olds and all-comers, Robyn’s Playboy was the standout performer of the day.
“We were hoping for cover and to drive him for just one run. He hadn’t had a workout and had a fair spell,” said Gore trainer Ross Wilson after the win.
Driver Craig Ferguson sat the Shadow Play gelding parked for the first 800 metres before he took the lead. With 400 metres to run he had his eight other rivals struggling. On straightening Ferguson pulled the ear plugs and Robyns Playboy instantly extended his lead, going down to the finish line nine and a half lengths ahead of I’m Trouble.
“He’s just got a great cruising speed and doesn’t stop. He’s got a real big motor in him we know that. It was very pleasing.”
The time 2-53.0 bettered Return To Senders 2014 Three Year Old and All-comers track record of 2-55.1, broke the long standing 2007 Three Year Old Southland record held by Rider On The Storm (2-54.5) and equalled Nex Time’s Southland’s All-comers record of 2-53.0. The time was only 0.5 of a second outside of the National Three Year Old record of 2-52.5 held by The Dorchester.
This season Wilson has seen Robyns Playboy become the real deal and live up to the high opinion he had of the horse when he started his career last season.
“Initially he could run but didn’t know what to do. You’d pull him out and he’d just muck around beside the other horse. He’s cottoned on now. When you pull him out he’s got to get going. He’s been working with Bridey (Bridesdale Robyn) the last couple of weeks and she went well at Addington. There’s not much between them. He’s the all-round horse. He’s got gate speed and he can stay.”
So now the main worry for Wilson is where to place the quality three year old.
“I don’t know what to do with him now because if you start again you’re racing horses that are near cup class.”
One race for three year olds that Wilson is considering is at Gore on 27th December. It’s worth fifteen thousand dollar and is sponsored by Cadrona Distillery. The Gore Club hopes to make this race an annual feature.
“I won’t go north with him, I’ll just muck around with him down here. We’ve had a few inquiries for him but he’s not for sale. He gets you out of bed in the mornings.”
So impressed with Robyn’s Playboy is he, that Wilson plans to send his dam Robyn Maree back to Shadow Play.
Bruce Stewart