Allan Robinson Loses Silent Song Appeal
Friday, 18 August 2006: The Racing NSW Appeals Panel dismissed Robinson's appeal late today after a hearing that began at 9am and ran well into the afternoon.
Robinson, represented by high profile lawyer Chris Murphy, maintained that there was nothing wrong with his ride on Silent Song at Rosehill on June 17.
Robinson was suspended after stewards found him guilty of failing to give Silent Song every reasonable and permissible chance to win or gain the best possible placing in the Banford Lawyers Handicap.
The stewards alleged Robinson harmed Silent Song's chances by driving her to the lead 600m from the finish and sustaining a fast pace before she weakened to finish sixth behind her stablemate Contrast.
Stewards claimed Robinson's tactics advantaged the backmarkers in the race, among them Contrast, but Robinson vehemently denied any suggestion of "team riding".
Robinson, who set a new national record for most wins in a season in 2005-06, will begin his three months suspension on Monday after riding at Kembla Grange and Taree over the weekend.
He faces another controversial hearing at Taree on Sunday when Northern Rivers stewards resume their inquiry into his ride on the Craig Martin-trained Zouzou at Grafton on July 12.
Zouzou led before tiring to finish unplaced to Second Choice trained by Martin's brother Tim.
Zouzou's owners transferred the filly to Rosehill trainer Chris Waller after the race and she won at her first start for him last week.
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