It’s difficult to anticipate how someone from a non-racing background who suffered a severe allergy to horses was attracted to train thoroughbreds.
For Cynthia Robinson it’s not so much an intriguing or even remarkable story, but a fulfilment of her passion and desire to work with horses.
That vision is now complete with Robinson and her partner, Simon, operating a breeding, horse breaking and training complex in Bullsbrook.
And at Bunbury last month, three years after receiving her trainer’s license, Robinson celebrated her first win with Scarlet Speedster.
But the seed that turned Robinson’s dream to reality first was sowed almost a decade ago at one of Australia’s iconic courses.
“I went to the Broome races about eight or nine years ago and I was hooked,” Robinson said.
“I loved it and that was the moment that sparked my interest in racing and gave me the bug.
“When I got back to Perth I joined up as a member straight away and then got involved in ownership.”
Taking on a tough and often difficult industry with no experience is a daunting exercise, but Robinson backed in her attitude and determination.
She had an insatiable appetite to learn and received the perfect grounding by studying and working with several of the state’s leading trainers.
“I worked with Jody McLaughlin, Debbie Padberg from harness racing and Jim Taylor,” Robinson said.
“Working with Debbie I was tempted to go into standardbreds.
“Jim taught me so much and is still a great help because his property is near mine.
“Jim’s mum Louis is a gem and his dad Mick was terrific with his stories when he was around.
“I also got my stable hand certificate at TAFE on the recommendation of McLaughlin.
“I had to learn pretty quickly and picked everyone’s brains.”
Robinson’s first foray into training was hardly the fairy-tale result she craved. Her first starter, Scenic Terror, ran last at Belmont.
That was the last she of the Scenic gelding who unfortunately went amiss and did not appear on the race track again.
But in contrast she was over the moon after Scarlet Speedster ended his maiden status when charging home from the rear.
“It was an absolute thrill and I wasn’t expecting it,” Robinson said.
“It was the first time he was on a float and he is more of a miler.
“I would have been happy anywhere in the top four.”
Scarlet Speedster was unlucky not to make it a double when he ran a short-neck second to Secret Ensign at Pinjarra.
Robinson believes, the five-year-old, who has managed just the nine starts, is beginning to realise his potential.
“He has had a lot of issues including his feet and went shin sore as a two-year-old,” Robinson said.
“He ripped his side that put him out for a couple of months and then suffered a virus.
“There hasn’t been one thing, but just a number of stupid things.
“But the beauty with him is he always tries.
“I think he will mature after this preparation.
“He just has to stay in one piece.”
RWWA: Julio Santarelli