Hobby trainer's winning delight after cancer diagnosis

By Jordan Gerrans

For hobby trainer Karyn Brewster, Saturday’s victory at the Gold Coast with Gus The Bus has been about six years in the making.

That was when the Deagon trainer prepared her last winner, with Darci's Money getting the cash at Wangaratta when Brewster was previously based in Victoria.

It was also around that time when Brewster’s life changed forever when she was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer.

Training out of Kilmore in Victoria and living on five acres at Romsey, Brewster only ever had a small team of horses in her care.

When she was stunned with the terrible news of her diagnosis, Brewster’s mind immediately turned to the Sunshine State where her two daughters have lived for decades.

“When I was diagnosed, they took my oesophagus out and half my stomach – I had a tumour on that, as well,” she recalls.

“What is left is now my feeding tube and stomach, so it was a huge operation and I came to Queensland to have it.

“I quickly realised that I needed to stay here because of the ongoing treatment and things.”

In her early 70s, Brewster quickly set up shop at Deagon in Brisbane’s north after selling up in Victoria with her galloper or two in work, as well as spending more time with her family.

She was with her granddaughter on Monday morning as she was still revelling in Saturday’s breakthrough training triumph.

It was a traumatic experience to be diagnosed with cancer and suddenly move across the country but the smiling trainer says she has found solace at the training facility.

“The Deagon crew, it is about comradery with what we do,” she said.

“It is so much fun at all levels.

“The people that you see at the track each day, it has really helped me with my recovery and getting settled in Brisbane.

“It has really helped me get over everything. I was so excited on Saturday to win the race.”

A sprinter named Darci's Money was Brewster’s last winner and the gelding came north with the trainer when she moved up.

He had a few starts in Queensland before he broke down at Gatton in late 2020 with seven victories and 10 minor placings to his name.

Since then the small-time conditioner has cycled through a few gallopers trying to land her next winner.

Somebody Stop Me and Slightly Shady were both taken to the races by Brewster but they could not get her back in the winners enclosure.

In the middle of 2022 Victorian trainer Jody Thompson reached out to Brewster and had a horse in mind for her - Gus The Bus.

The gelding had seven starts down south for Thompson and she knew he had talent, but he was a galloper that needed plenty of time and education if he was to ever win a maiden event.

Kilmore trainer Thompson thought Brewster could give him that.

It took him 22 attempts – after previously placing on just one opportunity – but he finally got there on Saturday on the Polytrack over 1150 metres.

The trainer was quick to credit the efforts of her track work rider Dominique Lahiff with bringing out the best in her gelding.

“She is a super track rider and she should take a big bow for Gus,” the trainer said.

“He needed so much education and she is a horsewoman. I am so grateful for her to do his work.”

Under the urgings of Andrew Spinks, Gus The Bus began from barrier five on Saturday over the sprint trip and was amongst the speed for the majority of the trip.

Gus The Bus scored by a touch over a length in the end.

It was an emotional moment for the trainer as it is the third preparation she has gone through with the gelding since he arrived in her barn.

“I was crying, the whole excitement of it,” Brewster said.

“It was so wonderful. It is so hard to train winners and even when you are a hobby trainer – you put so much into it – and to have some luck go your way, I am just so grateful.

“It is tough at whatever level you are at with horses and for him to break through for his maiden, it was great.

“He is a horse that has needed time, he has been mentally and physically immature. He has finally turned the corner.”

Hoop Jason Taylor had ridden Gus The Bus on six occasions in Queensland before he finally broke through.

Taylor was unable to ride on Saturday – handing Spinks the chance – but the multiple Group 1-winning jockey reached out to Brewster following the result to congratulate her on the special achievement as he had been along for the journey with her. 

Racing Australia’s official records list Gus The Bus’ starting price as $101 on Saturday.

When Darci's Money won for Brewster back in 2018, his winning quote was $81.