ROB PINES burst into calculations as a genuine National Sprint Series contender with a brilliant win over Rewind in the Division One final of the J G Nelson Series in Launceston on Monday night.
Rob Pines went into the final on the back of an impressive heat win but his victory over arguably Tasmania’s best sprinter was a career best effort.
Rewind began well from box eight and was on the back of the leader Hellyeah Stella (4) when they swept out of the first turn.
Rob Pines was only fairly away from box three and was midfield approaching the first turn and in need of racing room.
The Ted Medhurst-trained dog punched his way through to fourth heading down the back stretch while rewind was checking off the heels of the leader as they approached the bottom turn.
Rewind gained the upper hand turning for home while Rob Pines angled for a rails run and pushed the leader out of his way to make ground.
Rob Pines (Bombastic Shiraz-Velocity Thunder) hugged the rail in the home straight and grabbed Rewind in the closing stages to score by a half-length.
It was Rob Pines’11th win from 29 starts in Tasmania and he also has amassed 11 minor placings making him one of the most consistent in the state and definitely a worthy nominations for the National Sprint Series.
Rob Pines covered the 515-metre trip in 29.78s which was an outstanding run given where he was positioned midrace.