THE newly forged partnership between former Benalla jockey Peter Robl and trailblazing syndicate owner Nathan Tinkler got off to the perfect start on Tuesday — albeit in somewhat unexpected circumstances.

Robl signed on as the No.1 jockey for Tinkler’s new Patinack Farm Racing Syndicate this week in a move that cements the Benalla rider as one of Sydney’s top jockeys.

Tinkler, who topped last week’s BRW Young Rich List with an estimated wealth in excess of $440 million, is the biggest new name in Australian racing after embarking on a 12-month $19 million spending spree.

But in a curious twist, Robl’s first outing as the syndicate’s No.1 rider at Randwick on Tuesday proved that money can’t always buy you success in racing.

He had two Patinack rides for the day — both at very healthy odds after indifferent form. The first was aboard inconsistent colt, Rollins.

Rollins jumped at $21 on the tote with most of the pre-race money and attention focused on the Gai Waterhouse-trained Seventh Reason.

Millionaire identity John Singleton purchased the colt for $2 million as a yearling and Waterhouse was known to have a big opinion of the youngster.

However, Singleton was left fuming when his $2 million investment was pipped on the line by Robl and Rollins — who Tinkler purchased for $15,000.

“John (Singleton) will get over that,” Robl said.

“But it was obviously very nice for us to kick-off the partnership with a winner.

“It’s terrific to get the support from such a big operation.”

But Robl is hoping the operation has a quieter day at Randwick tomorrow when he hops aboard Waterhouse’s Bank Robber in the Epsom Hcp.

The Patinack Syndicate’s Cox Plate fancy Raheeb will start the race a warm favourite.

“I trialled (Bank Robber) last week and he was sensational and I think he’s gone forward from that trial,” Robl said.

“You only have to look at Gai’s record — I think she’s won five Epsoms so she knows how to get them right on the day.”

Robl was hoping to make an appearance at his home-track on Sunday for the Benalla Gold Cup but will be missing due to a pressing engagement with his new boss.

“We’ve got Randwick races (tomorrow) and then Warwick Farm on Monday so it was going to be a bit tight fitting in a trip to Benalla,” Robl said.

“Nathan (Tinkler) has actually invited me to his corporate box for the (NRL) grand final so I’ll be going along to that.”