Hobby trainer Rhiannon Schiffer excited for first Flemington runner

Hobby trainer Rhiannon Schiffer, who also works as a pre-trainer, farm manager and “equine hairdresser”, will saddle her first Flemington runner on Saturday.

Rick’s Cafe was Rhiannon Schiffer’s first city winner at Sandown and will the hobby trainer’s first runner at Flemington. Picture: Scott Barbour-Racing Photos

Roles will be reversed at Flemington on Saturday with hobby trainer Rhiannon Schiffer, also a pre-trainer, farm manager and equine hairdresser, and the late-blooming mare Rick’s Cafe.

Rick’s Cafe, a relentless paddock fence walker, lives for the raceday buzz but Schiffer, who doesn’t “sit still for too long” normally, will be the jittery one before the 1400m Benchmark 84.

Schiffer, who strapped horses for Robbie Griffiths for eight years, including The Valley wins record-holder Dandy Kid, has saddled 85 starters since 2015 for seven wins.

Rick’s Cafe has delivered three of the wins, including Schiffer’s first city winner at Sandown last December.

“To be honest, I’m not really one to be among all the notoriety (raceday),” Schiffer said.

“I’d be just as happy going around somewhere else, it is exciting, a bit nerve-racking.”

Rick’s Cafe, an eight-year-old veteran of only nine starts, is the complete opposite.

Restless at home and relaxed on raceday.

“She’s a prolific walker,” Schiffer said.

“She walks the fence up and back, up and back, up and back, she’ll drive you made if you watch her.

“The strange part about her is … doesn’t move a muscle (in the raceday box), no drama at all, it’s really only if she’s left to her own devices in a paddock she’ll just walk up and down.

“Her mindset at home isn’t really a reflection of what happens raceday … she likes the business end, I think, she loves her work and loves racing.”

Rick’s Cafe with trainer Rhiannon Schiffer and owner Peter Brown. Picture: Scott Barbour-Racing Photos

Rick’s Cafe is rated a $21 chance with TAB in an open market headed by Fearnought ($5), Cardigan Queen ($7) and Cuban Link ($7.50).

Schiffer nominated for Flemington and an easier race on Sunday at Sandown but the urging of jockey Carleen Hefel convinced the trainer to accept for Saturday.

“It is a big deal (first Flemington starter), I almost shied away from it, I thought I might just head to Sandown,” Schiffer said.

“You run the risk of doing this and looking like a bit of a dill, but … I think she’s on the way up and Carleen was pretty adamant I was doing the right thing.”

Schiffer’s daughter Gracie, 13, a keen eventer like her mother, will be trackside on Saturday.

Rick’s Cafe will be presented immaculately on Saturday, with Schiffer the go-to horse clipper for many Cranbourne trainers.

“It’s kind of like shearing but it’s clipping,” Schiffer laughed.

“That keeps me busy through winter, it’s a necessity and I’ve been doing that for 25 years, so every winter I do that, which is always a busy time of year but it’s worthwhile … it takes many (jobs) to make up the eventual pie.”

Originally published as Hobby trainer Rhiannon Schiffer excited for first Flemington runner