In less than a year, Peter Robl has gone from being a celebrated country jockey to being confirmed as the number one rider for Nathan Tinkler's burgeoning thoroughbred empire, Patinack Farm.Since he was lured to Sydney from the Victorian country town of Benalla by Warwick Farm trainer Clarry Conners, Robl has made his mark, highlighted by his first Group One win aboard Dealer Principal in the Rosehill Guineas.Dealer Principal's trainer Anthony Cummings has forged a strong partnership with Tinkle
In less than a year, Peter Robl has gone from being a celebrated country jockey to being confirmed as the number one rider for Nathan Tinkler's burgeoning thoroughbred empire, Patinack Farm.
Since he was lured to Sydney from the Victorian country town of Benalla by Warwick Farm trainer Clarry Conners, Robl has made his mark, highlighted by his first Group One win aboard Dealer Principal in the Rosehill Guineas.
Dealer Principal's trainer Anthony Cummings has forged a strong partnership with Tinkler and will prepare the majority of the expensive yearlings Patinack has bought in recent months.
The quietly-spoken Robl said he was thrilled and surprised by the offer to join the team.
"Things have just snowballed since I came to Sydney," Robl said.
"We had a meeting yesterday and although there are a few details to sort out, it's official.
"I was happy just to be the second or third stringer but to be picked as the number one rider is sensational.
"Things have certainly changed. I've never been shy of hard work and it just proves if you work hard enough, anything can happen.
"At the end of the day I'll be forever grateful to Clarry. I talked it over with him and when I can, I will still ride for him.
"But I do miss my country racing. I might not be able to fit that in anymore."
Cummings said Robl was the perfect fit for the organisation.
"If you can't get on with Peter Robl you need to take a good look in the mirror," he said.
Most of the Patinack horses are still youngsters and Robl will spend time helping educate them for their racetrack careers as well as continuing to ride for other stables.
One of his next big assignments is the Epsom Handicap on Saturday week in which he will be aboard the Gai Waterhouse-trained Bank Robber.
The former favourite for the Epsom, Bank Robber was ordered to trial before the big race following his failure in Saturday's Shannon Stakes.
Waterhouse told stewards there was nothing apparently amiss with Bank Robber who had been examined by three veterinarians.
He is currently an $11 chance in the Epsom with the trainer enlisting lightweight riders Stephen Baster and Zac Purton for her other Epsom hopes Ashikaga and Theseo respectively.