Robyns Playboy after another Tuapeka Cup

Robyns Playboy (Shadow Play) will be after his third Tuapeka Cup when he lines up at the Tuapeka Harness Racing Club’s annual meeting at Ascot Park on Sunday (Oct. 23).

The gelding has recently returned from an unsuccessful campaign in Australia where he was unplaced in eight starts.

“His work’s been good and he seems really enthusiastic, which is the thing we’ve been worried about. When he was in Australia, they reckon he went to the races and didn’t try. Here he’s been keen in his work so that’s a good sign,” co-trainer Ross Wilson said.

The six year old has an exceptional record in the feature, winning in 2019 and 2020 and running a close second to Paddyproudfoot (beaten a half a head) in 2021. He currently holds the race record of 3-21.4 for the 2700 metre stand.

“For this Cup his rankings are the lowest they’ve ever been, so it probably gives him a good show really.”

Robyns Playboy has had just one workout to ready him for Sunday’s task.

“He went to the workouts last Saturday at Wyndham. He went 3 minutes (2400 metres) with the last half in 56 and he just got pipped.”

A gear malfunction prevented him from completing a workout the week before, but Wilson says that shouldn’t be a problem.

“He ended up having quite a solid run. The hopple carrier wrapped round his hind leg and the horse got that excited that Craig (Ferguson) couldn’t pull him up and he did an extra lap.”

Wilson says the standing start on Sunday shouldn’t be a worry.

“He hasn’t had a stand for about twelve months. He’s pretty good as long as he’s facing the right  way. Normally he’s quite brilliant from the stand.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink