Robinson Looking For Positives After Trb Sentencing

Newcastle Herald

Monday January 22, 2001

By JAMES GARDINER

SUSPENDED jockey Allan Robinson spent Saturday putting up fences around a block of units he is developing at Hawks Nest.

He was to have ridden a full book at Kembla Grange, but was outed for six months on Friday by a TRB tribunal after being found guilty of insulting behaviour to stewards and bringing racing into disrepute.

The decision came after Robinson was asked to show cause why his licence should not be revoked because of comments he made in a Newcastle Herald Weekender article on December 9.

The suspension, which began on Friday and extends to July 31, is expected to cost the larrikin hoop more than $120,000 in riding fees.

He is permitted to ride trackwork and in barrier trials.

Robinson admitted yesterday that he would feel some financial strain because of the suspension, but said it would allow him to have a more hands-on role with his other business ventures.

`I am still going to be able to pay rent,' he joked yesterday.

`I am doing some units at Hawks Nest and I had to pay someone to do the fences, so I went up there and did them myself with a mate.'

The suspension will also allow Robinson to go on a family holiday.

`Me, the wife and the kids will go away for sure,' he said. `I have a few people in Brisbane, owners more or less, who have been wanting me to go up there for years. I will be able to now.'

Leading trainer Max Lees said on Friday that a break would do Robinson some good.

Robinson agreed to some extent.

`I don't know about six months, I don't think anyone needs six months,' he said.

`Probably for the last three months, as Max said, I have been going and not going.

`I have been a bit unreliable and not riding work and things like that.'

Robinson said the suspension had not affected any of his promotional activities.