THE SUNSHINE COAST NEWSPAPER COLUMN: BROWNE LOOKING GOOD IN BLUE AS CARNIVAL TAKES OFF

By Graham Potter | Friday, May 4, 2018

Graham Potter writes a weekly column for the Sunshine Coast daily. Due to demand from those having trouble accessing the paper these columns are now also published on HRO courtesy of the Sunshine Coast daily.

Damian Browne, the Sunshine Coast’s champion jockey, issued a notice of intent at the Doomben meeting last Saturday when he won the two Group races featured on the card.

The first of those victories came in the Group 2 Victory Stakes aboard the 2017 Stradbroke winner Impending, trained by James Cummings for the mighty Godolphin operation.

This was Browne’s third win in the race and it would have brought back fond memories of his 2013 win on the Robert Heathcote Buffering who, with Browne, famously went on to claim international glory in Dubai.

Browne also won the race in 2015 on Srikandi for Ciaron Maher. That memory though might come with just a slight tinge of regret with the reminder of one that got away because Srikandi went on to win the Stradbroke without Browne who did not take the ride.

Browne’s second winner last Saturday came in the form of Villermont in the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic. This one was trained by Ciaron Maher and it rounded off a superb day for Browne.

Clearly these results served as a notice of intent from Browne to his rivals as the Winter Carnival gets into full stride.

As most jockeys think they do, Browne looks good in the regal royal blue silks of Godolphin and he will carry those colours to the start in both of the Group races scheduled for the big Gold Coast meeting tomorrow.

Browne rides It’s Somewhat in the Group 2 A.D. Hollindale Stakes and is on Marble in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas.

Godolphin is a valued connection for Browne ... as is the likes of the powerful Peter and Paul Snowden training team, Cairon Maher and others who regularly seek out the top jockey.

Visitors tend to dominate the Queensland Carnival and it stands to his credit that Browne is still able to command a place in a scenario where locals are often left compromised.

Browne was very relaxed last week. Yes, there was the required steeliness but there was also a smile and a glint in the eye that reflected a quiet confidence which can’t bode well for the opposition.

Notice has been served.

Chances are there is more to come.

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