Robbie Close starts New Year with Rangiora double

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
 
Robbie Close is crediting a change in approach for his latest run of success.

The driver, known as Goose, opened the year with a driving double at Rangiora yesterday, following a very successful 2025 that saw him win 69 races and top $1m in stakes for the first time.

But there were some frustrations as well.

"I got suspended four or five times in the space of three months - it is not ideal for the bank balance," he says.

Something, he thought, had to change - and it has.

Over the past "three or four months" Close has had guidance from a number of family, friends and associates including the likes of his employer Andrew Stuart and top jockey Jonathan Riddell to better handle the pressures of race day. 

"I can't thank those people enough," says Close.

"We are all competitive and want to win races," he says, "but I was panicking in races and thinking the gaps should open and now I'm sort of taking a step back and trying to stay relaxed."

"It's a new approach and it seems to be working." 

Close finished 2025 by taking out both the Pacing and Trotting Cups at Reefton on December 30 with Smoke On The Water and Rachmaninov. 

"Smoke On The Water was off 45 metres and I was last but I knew what the horse was capable of and I just told myself to wait and be patient."

Smoke On The Water was well back turning for home only for Close to angle out and then power home to win by three lengths.

There was a similar scenario at Rangiora on New Year's Day. He completed a driving double with Here Comes Marty and Spirit Of Tupelo.

In Here Comes Marty's race he was four back the fence and looking snookered before getting an out at the 600 metre mark. He went three-wide round the home turn and in the end won comfortably.

Not that it's a one size fits all mentality. Far from it - different horses need to be driven differently.

Rachmaninov for instance is a "get out and run" horse and Close did just that in leading all the way to register his 15th win at start number 301 in the Endura Mining/Snowy River Gold Mining Cup at Reefton. 

Similarly Spirit of Tupelo showed great gate speed in her race at Rangiora,  and was never headed, despite a stern challenge from second-placed Cee Whata Mickee.

With two wins already in 2026, Close's next drives will be at Roxburgh on Sunday.