Mike and Luella Robinson
Phillipi trainer Mike Robinson has made a sensational start to his solo career, with his first two runners of the new season, winning during the past week.
After Hurricane Wind, had stormed home at any price to win the first race at Durbanville last Wednesday, the Wilgerbosdrift Stud owned Lobola won at the same venue on Saturday. This dream double has served up an sweetly timed marketing campaign booster for a man who has an outstanding track record of achievement. And a few open boxes, too!
The Drakenstein Stud bred daughter of Western Winter, Hurricane Wind, put two rather ordinary mud efforts well behind her, and was beautifully ridden by Denies Lee to account for the smart You Beauty and the highly rated Jet Flo.
Legendary owner Marsh Shirtliff, in whose famous pink, white and blue silks the filly campaigns, had only stepped off the plane from Singapore a few hours earlier on Wednesday morning. “Having Marsh there to lead her in and share the moment just put the cherry on the top of a memorable occasion,” said the delighted Robinson.
Screaming
He observed rather coyly that the small Durbanville crowd had gone silent in the final 100m as he and his wife Luella had screamed their filly home. “I was very disappointed following Hurricane Wind’s dismal second start, after she had shown promise in her work. She had really improved nicely at home after her first start and I expected her to up her game. But the penetrometer reading was in the 30’s and she ran handily, before fading right out. I was close to tearing my hair out, but the advantage of experience is that one learns to breathe deep, back off and start over again.
“On Wednesday my heart was in my throat at the top of the straight as she was just off the front two, and when Denies found the split, I felt she would win it. What an amazing thrill,” said the vastly experienced horseman. He said that Denies Lee was riding with great confidence and had ridden Hurricane Wind in her work.
“I was hoping that they would split the field when I saw the original nominations, but we landed up as a reserve runner. And then we got lucky with a few withdrawals, and as history shows, we grabbed our chances with both hands. I had no hesitation in putting Denies on, as she had done all the work,” he said.
Saturday Sensation
Hurricane Wind
Then on Saturday, the Robinson dream run continued, with the former Joey Ramsden filly Lobola winning the third race, and ironically downing a Ramsden runner. “When I knew that I was definitely going on my own, I started to inform various owners. I have only met Mrs Mary Slack a few times at the races and at my previous work place, but I thought that I would also just let her know about my new facility.
To my surprise, Mrs Slack emailed me back and told me that she had a filly at her farm that was having a break and she would send her to me. I was so excited and I couldn’t believe that a world class owner and breeder actually wanted to send me a filly to train!” Mike went on to explain that he had subsequently contacted Wynand at Wilgerbosdrift Stud and made a trip to the farm to see the filly.
“She was standing with a group of mares and she was looking very happy with life. She is a very big filly and being by Fort Wood, it is probable that she may just have needed more time to grow and mature. “When she arrived at the yard it didn’t take her too long to settle in and she has always been a very happy horse. I took my time with her and she hasn’t put a foot wrong.”
“I was expecting a good run from her but couldn’t be too confident from the draw and the distance that she would win. What a fantastic feeling it was to watch her win. Muzi Yeni rode a very confident race on her and she came through with flying colours. It was an absolute pleasure training a first runner and a first winner for Mrs Slack,” he said.
Excellent CV
Experience and patience is something that Michael Robinson doesn’t lack. After his national service, he joined Mike Stewart full time and worked at The Dunes for 2 and a half years as an assistant trainer.
From Mike Stewart’s yard, Michael then worked with Chris Snaith for 3 and a half years, which included the move to Mrs Plattner’s Rondeberg training facility on the West Coast. When Brett Crawford joined the Plattner establishment, Michael did a swap and joined Dennis Drier as his assistant in KZN where he stayed for 6 years.
It was during his tenure at Summerveld that he met his future wife Luella, herself an accomplished horsewoman. The Robinson family moved back to the Cape in 2007 and Mike joined the Drakenstein team as their spelling and pre-training manager. He took out his trainers’ license the following year and he sent out his first runner, Baynesfield, on 6 September 2008.
Getting Ready
Mike has 19 boxes down at Phillipi and is prepping some of the 2yo’s for the Cape Ready To Run Sale. “I have been inundated with enquiries and encouragement following the thrilling winning double, and I am hoping to fill a few more boxes and get stuck into training winners for the Cape Summer Season.
“I hope to put a few partnerships or syndicates together and having some of the game’s leading names on board, doesn’t hurt. We can’t do it without the owners and I am very fortunate to have the support of good people” he said. Mike Robinson may be contacted at [email protected]
