BROWNIE'S BLOG: PLENTY OF INTEREST IN THE CHASE FOR THE WIN IN THE FINAL GROUP 1 OF THE SEASON

By Damian Browne | Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Damian Browne, who rode sixteen Group 1 winners during his career, writes a weekly personal blog which is published exclusively on HRO. This week Brownie's Blog looks at the intriguing possible result options that the Tatts Tiara contest offers. He gives well-earned plaudits to a couple of behind the scenes stalwarts and he answers some readers questions

It is easy to talk about Chris Waller and what he has achieved this season but I suppose it would be fair to add that he arguably has some unfinished business to sign off on.

As I mentioned in a pervious blog, Waller is currently sitting on seventeen Group 1’s for the season (level in the record books with Tommy Smith, who was a legend of the industry). He needs one more Group 1 to claim the outright record.

On Saturday at Eagle Farm Waller will have the last chance to achieve that for the current season in the Group 1 Tatts Tiara … and he has certainly loaded up, having multiple runners nominated for a full-on attack.

One of those runners is last year’s Tatts Tiara winner Prompt Response who will be looking for the double with different stables, having won the race for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott last year.

It is really interesting because, while Waller is trying to remove Tommy Smith’s name from the record for Group 1 wins, Waterhouse will be defending her father’s position by trying to prevent Waller from claiming what has become a bit of an elusive win.

And Waterhouse has an even more personal reason to want the win. It is quite amazing to comprehend that Gai Waterhouse has saddled a Group 1 in every season since 1992 … but she is still to tick that box in the current season.

Like Waller, she only has the Tatts Tiara in which to get the job done and ensure that her twenty-seven year run of Group 1 success remains intact.

For all of that intrigue though, I think Godolphin are going to be hardest to beat in the Tiara. The Cummings team have no small total of eight Group 1 wins to their name already.

Three of their runners are good chances and they always seem have live chances where-ever they go in the racing world.

If I had to put my money on one, I’d have to put it on one of the Cummings runners.

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Being in front of the cameras and getting the rewards that are due … such as those Group 1 winners … is one thing, but for those behind the scene those kudos are more subdued.

That’s why I have to make mention of two jockey room attendants and who have recently departed the scene after many, many years … Doug Weir (at the Brisbane Racing Club) and George Sawyers (at the Ipswich Turf Club).

Most people don’t realise how much help those guys are to us on a day to day basis and how much we value them.

For example, a number of years ago Doug was given the flick when they were looking to cut costs and all of the jockeys said that that if he was not back the next Saturday, we’re not riding.

They had him back the following Saturday.

That just shows the regard and the respect we as jockeys have for them and I hope they have left their jobs knowing how much they were appreciated.

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For those who have asked … yes, I have been missing riding.

I think it has been harder because right now the carnival is on. That’s the one thing you want to be competing in so it is right there getting my full attention at the moment.
Maybe, once the carnival dies off I might not feel it as much, but I am certainly missing riding at the moment.

Also, in response to your questions, with regard to my idea of becoming a mentor/manager to a couple of riders, the update is I have been talking to a couple of young guys but that conversation is still in the early stages.

I have to be licenced to even be able to do it and I won’t be applying for that before the start of the new season.

So, at the moment, I have just been sounding out a few guys and seeing if they are happy doing what they are doing or if they are happy for me to have a go with them.
It’s still very much a work in progress.

Till next week.

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