Earthquake’s Blue Diamond triumph was the stand-out performance on a quality day of racing at Caulfield and Randwick.
For Peter and Paul Snowden, it was a fitting early farewell to Melbourne racing as they look to set-up base in Sydney away from the Darley empire.
Everyone seemingly forgot about the extraordinary ride from Damian Browne, steering a path from gate 15 and dashing away from some classy colts.
It is rare these days for a jockey to make headlines based on his or her achievements on the track, and Browne almost purposefully avoids it.
It is hard to believe two years have passed since his maiden group 1 win, which saw Woorim come with a barnstorming run in the Oakleigh Plate (at a cheeky 20/1 no less).
Since then, Browne has taken all before him. He was the in-form jockey of last year’s Melbourne spring carnival, scoring stakes wins aboard Fire Up Fifi, Missy Longstocking, Liesiele and a Group 1 double with Buffering.
There’s no greater endorsement than Peter Snowden booking you to ride “the next Guelph” and with the Snowdens a few months away for setting up their own independent stables, perhaps Browne may get the call up to become stable jockey.
While he has built up a strong partnership with Robert Heathcote, he does not ride exclusively for him and the father-son combination could be on the lookout for a stable jockey.
As a punter, I feel more confident with Browne on my horse than any other jockey in Australia and maybe even the world, excluding Joao Moreira.
With the plethora of Group 1s coming up across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide, I’m curious to know which jockey you love having in your corner.
Craig Williams? Hugh Bowman? Tommy Berry? Glen Boss? Damien Oliver? I’ll stop there; the list could be endless.
Fat Cattle Auctioneer
Guest
It would be difficult to argue that Hugh Bowman is not the best jockey in Australia closely followed by Zac Purton and Craig Williams at his best. Nonetheless many good judges and those of us who see him ride week after week in Singapore would say that John Powell is one of the best judges of pace and has the softest hands of any jockey about. Like Damien Browne he is bereft of nerves and as patient as a sniper. As for the Internationals it is difficult to go past Felix Coertzee or Jeff Lloyd.
Sammy
Guest
Damian Browne is very good. He fills the role of "Super Sub" very well. Oliver for mine is still number one. All jockeys will ride a poor one occasionally but his are very few. I think Boss is starting to lose the plot. Some recent examples? 1) When he burnt up Bernabau in a jump out prior to the Lightning. O'shea was privately furious he let him roll so hard in a trial. So what happens next? ….Bernabau fails miserably next start! 2) On TVN after Earthquakes modest trial at Cranbourne, Boss declares - "On that, I don't think Earthquakes going well enough to win the diamond". I'm sure Pete Snowden was impressed by that one ! He maybe a good staying rider but lets be honest his 3 ( and only) Melbourne Cups were on the one horse - Makybe Diva, who was a mare of a generation, Steve King rode Makybe to group wins. If I was 55kg and not 90kg I probably would too given her dominance in that era! Ollie has won his 3 Melb Cups on 3 different horses. Mick Price putting Chad on instead of Boss for Lankan Rupee 's looming Newmarket engagement…..speaks volumes for itself. Anyhow …thats my rant. No surprises hes not on my xmas card list ! Hahahaha
Scuba
Guest
It depends on how many horses the Snowdens have as to whether Browne could be the stable jockey - don't forget he can only ride 4 per day. As I've said before though, he is an outstanding jockey.
Drew H
Guest
Ouch.....Rubick out of the Slipper. I just had an all-in bet on it last night. The odds looked too good.
Sam Kelly
Guest
I'm sure O'Shea will be having a word to the big bosses about using J-Mac more often especially if he and McEvoy don't start with a bang. His strike rate is amazing when you consider the depth in the Sydney jockey ranks.
Sam Kelly
Guest
Would be great to see the best jockeys from around the world coming to our carnivals to compete, although we are already pretty blessed for quality. Was it the VRC carnival in 2012, where something like 34 jockeys won races from 38 races.
Sam Kelly
Guest
Always loved Bossy on a stayer as well Justin. Couldn't agree more with you on Tommy Berry - he has taken the next step since his Golden Slipper win. Would love to see him Hong Kong; he would certainly give the premiership a shake on current form.
Sam Kelly
Guest
Had a great day at Balnarring when Bodey punched home five winners! He is the King of the Picnics
Brad Durrant
Roar Guru
James McDonald is on top for me. 18.3% strike rate (NSW metro races) so far this season. I believe he'll be in for a big Autumn. We will also see him wearing the Darley silks more often once John O'Shea takes over from Peter Snowden.
Alfred Chan
Expert
I was actually quite surprised to see the Snowdens elect Damien Browne when McEvoy couldn't take the ride. I think it was the first time I'd seen him in Darley colours down here and it seemed a strange move considering they have used Blake Shinn, Christian Reith, Michael Rodd, Steven Arnold, Jamie Mott, Vlad Duric and Mark Zahra a fair bit. Their decision was been fully justified and I can't knock a single thing Browne has done in the saddle. As for the best jockey, I'm still of the opinion that James McDonald is the best allround jockey in the country because he has shown so much at such a young age and is still on the rise. If it comes down to weights and a horses racing style, I'd never turn Nash Rawiller away for a ride of 56kg or more. I don't think there is a stronger rider in the country when it comes to riding hands and heels. The fact that he can ride as low as 55.5kg is impressive because if he wasn't a jockey, I'd back him in a UFC ring. Damien Oliver is still in the peak of his career and I'd take him for anything in the mid-lower weight ranges. Of the girls, Clare Lindop would be my choice. She has runs on the board and is ultra consistent while Katelyn Mallyon, Jamie Kah and Kathy O'Hara are in a tight photo for second. Of the internationals, it's near impossible to go past Joao Moreira. I really hope he and Douglas Whyte do a full Royal Ascot campaign so that we can see them against Europe's best. I don't think there would be a more contrasting style of riding. Over there, I'm a big fan of William Buick and Mickael Barzalona. I think both of them will have enormous careers at the top over the coming decade.
Travis Noonan
Roar Rookie
Hi Sam, Great Article , I must agree I think Damian Browne is without a doubt one of the best riders in the country and can deliver a great ride in a big race , I hope he gets some more opportunities on some of the better gallopers heading into the autumn. Personally I love watching Noel Callow punch a winner home or Nash Rawiller because of their vigourous style to get the winner home. Outside of the professionals Adam Bodey Victoria's leading picnic racing rider for 13 years is a man I'd happily have my hard earned on anywhere watch this ride at Woolamai Picnics called by myself http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysqBMKLy16M
Justin Cinque
Expert
Interesting about the weights. 20kgs seems plenty but it probably will need to happen in time (maybe 50 or 100 years). Already there are calls for a 10kgs increase. Not sure how it will change the breed but it will impact times.
Drew H
Guest
I have also invented the 'figure 8' trotting track. Very exciting concept.
Drew H
Guest
Probably be reinstated fairly quickly, but they'd do it on weight issues or political issues. With all the 46kg riders needed lately, perhaps the remote control unit could be handy. (another interesting study with weights. Could the whole weight scale be shifted up 20kg. What type of horse would gain? Would the breed chage dramatically?)
Justin Cinque
Expert
That's very funny Drew! I wonder how long remote control riding would last before jockeys were ushered back in...
Drew H
Guest
I had this idea:- All the owners sit in the grandstand on raceday with a remote control unit in their hands. The horses are equipped with a radio receiver, adjustable reigns connected to servo motors, a few vibrators like in mobile phones to act as spurs, and a little whip on the rump. Obviously this equipment change includes the absence of the jockey. I'm not sure if you can picture it but it would be fun. It is one of my ideas in favour of 21st century racing. It is not that I dislike jockeys but I think that we can do without them.
Justin Cinque
Expert
It was a great ride on Saturday Sam and it confirmed what a lot of people have been saying over the last 12 months - Damien Browne is one of the best jockeys in Australia. As for the jockey I love having in my corner, the one's you mention - Williams, Bowman, Berry, Boss and Oliver - are all favourable. If it's a staying race, you can do a lot worse than Bossy. I love watching Oliver ride. The initiative he shows on a day-to-day basis is the reason he has won so many important races. I thought his ride on Fiorente on Saturday was an absolute gem. He exposed him early - four wide on the bend - but if he waited for the straight to bring him into clear air he probably would have run out of time. In an form Williams is a sight to behold - you could argue he almost singlehandedly won a Cox Plate for Pinker Pinker. Berry keeps getting better and better. His ride to win a Group 1 race on Designs on Rome at Sha TIn a few weeks ago was from the absolute top drawer. He was taking on Able Friend who was a bit quick for his mount when they met at 1600m. Over 1800m Berry knew his horse's stamina could win the race. He landed on Able Friend's back, flushed him out wide early and grabbed him at the 100. 5-star ride! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-NCKix_6ZE