Ben homes in on victory

THERE are few certainties in racing but Beaudesert trainer Ben Robinson can provide two.

One is he will bob up with his horses at a meeting anywhere in southern Queensland and northern NSW. The other is every horse he trains is for sale at the right price.

Robinson lives by the “have horse, will travel” motto but today the trip to the racetrack is short.

The 37-year-old trainer has 11 horses entered for the Beaudesert meeting, which is expected to lure a big crowd of New Year’s Day revellers.

Such a big team is nothing new for Robinson, who has bobbed up at meetings from Texas in Queensland to Tabulam in northern NSW.

“We quite often go to different places with 10 or 11, more than likely at non-TABs (meetings),” he said.

“But I try to have as many as I can at a local meeting.”

While Robinson has accepted with 11 horses at Beaudesert today, three are emergencies and might not gain a run.

“They should all be competitive,” Robinson said, preferring not to highlight one over another.

His best chances look to be Invincible Storm in the Class 5 Handicap (1050m) and Hooked A Beauty, one of three Robinson-trained runners in the Special Conditions Handicap (1200m).

Invincible Storm, a bargain buy like so many of Robinson’s horses, rises sharply in class today after winning a Class 2 Handicap (1100m) at Beaudesert on December 5.

The runner-up that day was Hooked A Beauty, who also ran second at her latest start at Lismore on December 22.

“If the race pans out well for her, she should get a nice little run in behind and she could go well but I’m just afraid of Fab’s Cowboy and Heza Chumley,” Robinson said of Hooked A Beauty’s chances.

Robinson has been training since 2008 and now predominantly prepares horses for Killara Thoroughbreds and owner Peter Gray, a prolific buyer and seller.

“I wouldn’t like to calculate how many he buys a year,” Robinson said.

“He buys just about any type of thoroughbred whether it’s a weanling, yearling, broodmare and tries to move them on the best he can.

“The common saying is, ‘everything is for sale at a price’.”

Gray has even sold a consignment of about 65 horses to Vietnam in partnership with Magic Millions and Australian racing authorities.

“Peter has horse contacts just about everywhere you think,” Robinson said.

“There are polo guys who come through looking for their next champion.

“Racehorses go to Cloncurry and Julia Creek. Vets are always looking for recipient mares to do their embryo transfers. That’s another outlet for some of the mares.”

Robinson said Gray rarely spent more than $2000 and had an eye for a bargain.

“Invincible Storm was a $1000 purchase and she has won us three races and Lwazi was a $500 purchase as an unraced two-year-old and he’s won three races,” he said.

When the dust settles after the Beaudesert meeting today, Robinson will head back to the Killara Thoroughbreds property to get his next batch of runners ready.

Tomorrow’s destination is Murwillumbah.

“I’ve been known to pop up just about anywhere,” he said.

“You’ve got to take them to where they can win.”