By Tayler Strong
Zenmach marked the death of 101-year-old Graham (Toby) Robertson with a dashing win at Winton on Sunday.
Robertson, who died on Friday, was a member of the Central Courage syndicate who race Zenmach.
He was a founding member of the 30-member syndicate formed 10 years ago to race horses from the Roxburgh stable of Geoff and Jude Knight.
Robertson was admitted to hospital at Clyde on Thursday after a medical event. He lived on his own in Alexandra.
Zenmach gave the CC syndicate their 30th win. Al Raza is their best performer with nine wins. She has just been sold to the United States.
Expressionist won six before his sale to Australia. Omaha Beach won five races for the syndicate.
Robertson was two months into his 100th year when he partnered reinsman Matthew Williamson in a dual sulky hitched to Expressionist to win a novelty race at Forbury Park in April, 2013.
Robertson kept himself secure grasping a strap attached to the sulky with one hand and a sulky shaft with the other hand.
Robertson made a special trip of 80 km return to Roxburgh a fortnight ago to have his photo taken with the four CC syndicate horses in the Knight stable.
One of the quartet is his namesake, Tobys Knight, a 2yr-old colt by Gotta Go Cullect – Onedin Fire.
Robertson was at the Otago Harness awards function in August 2014 to accept an award for the deeds of Al Raza.
Robertson earlier raced thoroughbreds and he was made a life member of the Otago Racing Club in 2014. He joined the ORC in the 1950s.
The CC syndicate bought Zenmach and Seduce Me in July as qualified 2yr-olds in Canterbury. Zenmach subsequently won at Addington. Seduce Me finished second on Sunday after a similar placing in her other start.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
