He's perhaps one of the most underated harness racing horses in Southland but once again Robyn's Bad Boy with the right run, proves he's classy enough to go to a better grade.
He proved that today at Winton when he dented a few reputations by winning the Fairbairn Plumbing Limited Mobile Pace in track record time. He was driven by regular pilot Craig Ferguson.
"He's a horse we drive for one run so if he doesn't get any luck he can look pretty ordinary. Even though he was parked for the last 1000 it suited him because he wasn't doing anything," said trainer Ross Wilson.
Wilson timed the first 800 metres of the race to be run in 57 seconds and the field went to the mile in 1-55.
"That's why they ran the last half in 59 seconds."
The overall time of 2-54.1 lowered the aged geldings and entire track record of 2-55.3 recorded in 2012 by Bettor's Brigadier. Nek Time holds the open track record of 2-53.0
The win didn't surprise his trainer especially after those sectionals and he also said that the horse's work during the week had been first class.
"He'd had a freshener and I just jogged him last week. I was really pleased with his work this week. He was just humming."
Robyn's Bad Boy after winning at Winton Photo Bruce Stewart
So the plan now is to map out a programme for him in the next few weeks including the Gore and Roxburgh Cups.
"Rob's Ideal is having a bit of a freshener too. I was planning the Gore Cup for him but I don't like racing them against each other too much. There are four or five races over New Year so I'll split them."
Wilson is also a great advocate of sending his horses to Australia when they reach their grade here and that's where Robyn's Bad Boy could end up.
"The appearance fees that Menangle pays, pays for your training fees for a month so anything you earn is basically profit. It's a bit of a no brainer really. He's the perfect little racehorse. The only thing is that he's getting out of his grade so I'll probably have to send him to Australia."
Later in the programme the well bred Rocking Robyn led for most of his race and won for Wilson and driver Craig Ferguson.
Rocking Robyn winning at Winton Photo Bruce Stewart
He's a full brother to Robyn's Cullen – both being out of Wilson's quality mare Robyn's Treasure which won seven races including the DB Fillies Final and New Zealand Oaks double in 1994 at Addington.
Rocking Robyn after winning at Winton Photo Bruce Stewart
Wilson said prior to the race that if Ferguson could get to the front and not get taken on, Rocking Robyn would be a chance and that's exactly what happened. He was too strong for favourite Royal Bengal, winning by a length and a quarter.
Bruce Stewart
Southern Harness Racing