Fledgling trainer flying high after dual cups success

Emerging trainer Charlotte Skerritt has attributed a big part of her early success to the mentorship and support of decorated Goldfields horseman Peter Fernie.

Barely five months after her training debut, Skerritt, 25, grabbed her first two career winners at successive meetings in the northern Goldfields when Mollie Clark rode Soldiers Camp to a Leonora-Leinster cups double.

A sweep of the three regional cups was foiled when Soldiers Camp was scratched for last Sunday’s Laverton Cup, but Skerritt said it was nothing serious as the gelding resumes over 1760m on Saturday at Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club.

Skerritt, who grew up in Narrogin and comes from an eventing background, said she had built strong ties in the Goldfields since her 2023 arrival.

“Last year, I was at a bit of a crossroads and Ben Pearce sent me up with a team and provided a great opportunity, as well as riding track work for Peter Fernie and a few other trainers,” Skerritt said.

“That’s how I got started and I guess like so many others, I ended up staying.”

She said success in both the Leonora and Leinster cups was a major confidence-booster.

“Everyone’s been really supportive,” Skerritt said.

“A big part of that has been that I’d ridden track work for about seven years, so I know most of the trainers who have really helped me.

“There’s obviously more females (trainers) in Perth, compared to just a few of us in Kalgoorlie, but I grew up doing a fair bit of eventing and loved going fast.

“Another female who had her training licence eventually got me into riding and I was hooked.

“I like the training aspect, where’s there’s multiple things to focus on and not just one aspect.

“Training horses was on my mind for a long time — probably ever since I started watching racing when I was 10, I think.”

Skerrit combines training with a full-time job, but said she was unfazed by the 4.30am daily starts.

Fernie’s influence, she said, had been profound.

“Peter helps me with everything and was there the day after the Leonora Cup, checking him (Soldiers Camp) and just making sure he was right for the next one,” Skerritt said.

“He helps me with all of my horses which is one of the big reasons why I love Kalgoorlie because I have him right there, supporting me every step of the way.

“I ride a lot of his trackwork, we’ve got a great working relationship and he’s very helpful with all of my horses.”

Skerritt said Soldiers Camp would be spelled after this weekend, before possibly heading to Esperance for the upcoming campaign on the south coast.