Robbie And Cash Caviar's Incredible Return

WHEN Robbie Byrnes and his dog Cash Caviar head to the start of a lowly 331m Maiden at Albion Park on Sunday it will be after a long and arduous comeback trail for both of them. 

Cash Caviar is a Raw Ability-Fay's Magic litter brother to star gallopers Respectability and Black Magic Rose, both of them Group stars.

But Cash Caviar turned three back in April and here he is having his first race start.

FIELDS AND FORM ALBION PARK SUNDAY

And, Cash Caviar will be Robbie's first starter for longer than he can remember.

“The dog nearly died twice and still to this day no one can work out what was ailing him, not even after sending samples right around the world in a bid to get him right,” said Robbie.

Robbie, who turns 70 on Thursday, has also been stricken with health issues that no specialist could find the cause.

“I went from 82 kilos to 69 kilos, was incredibly lethargic, and had breathing issues,” he said.

“No matter what I did, I could not put on weight, could not come right.”

That has only slightly righted itself in recent times to the stage where Robbie is now 74 kilos, but still eight kilos under the NSW harness racing legend's best “driving weight”.

Robbie and his wife Sue moved back to Queensland four years ago settling on Bribie Island.

He had great success decades ago with Classy Alice a quality Albion Park performer and successful broodbitch.

He needed something to keep him active and decided to buy the Raw Ability-Fay's Magic pup.

“The dog and I have been keeping each other company on the couch,” said Robbie.

“He was showing lots of potential as a baby, but then went down with an ailment and no one could work out what it was.

“It nearly killed him. The vets were doing blood tests but admitted they had no idea what was wrong with him or how to fix it.”

Cash Caviar laboured for ages but eventually came right.

“I put him back into work again after many months, but he came down with it again,” said Robbie.

“This time the vets collected faeces samples and sent them overseas. The sample was tested against 400 others looking for the cause of his problems, but again nothing could be matched.

“Eventually, he got over it and down the track here we are going to the races for the first time with him on Sunday as a three and a half year old.

“We thought he would die the second time as well.”

Robbie said recent trials by Cash Caviar have been promising.

“But, he is a magic dog and lives in the house with Sue and I,” he said. “He's the smartest dog, just so, so clever.

“He's one of the family. He was on death's door … twice.

“And, now here we are getting ready to race for the very first time.”