They’ve been here before, but that doesn’t make the nerves any easier to manage.
Part-owners Browne and Curtis are once again in the spotlight, this time with rising star Machine Gun Gracie, who is rapidly being recognised as one of Western Australia’s most exciting young gallopers.
That reputation could hit new heights if the talented filly claims victory in the Group 3 Drummond Golf-WA Oaks (2400m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Plenty of punters believe she will, backing her into odds-on favouritism following a dominant front-running win in the Natasha Stakes (2200m) last weekend.
The daughter of Maschino was in a league of her own, leading all the way and putting 3 ½ lengths on runner-up Twilight Tale in a commanding display.
It’s a familiar situation for Browne and Curtis, who were in the same position just a year ago with Own The Queen, who also won the WA Oaks as the hot favourite.
That filly, by Awesome Rock, swept through the autumn features, winning the Ascot 1000 Guineas and Natasha Stakes before her triumph in the Oaks.
To find themselves back with another leading Oaks contender the very next year is something Browne still finds hard to believe.
“It’s been a couple of good years to be honest and we’ve had a good run,” Browne said to Racing WA.
“You pinch yourself with that bit of luck, I thought I may have used it all up last season.
We’re enjoying the run we’re having.
We knew we had this one in the background, but a lot of things have to go right, timing is everything.
We’re excited, but I’m getting nervous, Kelly rides it out a bit better than me.
You sort of know what to expect, but it’s still nerve racking,
Hopefully it’s a rinse and repeat of the Natasha.”
Browne says there were early signs Machine Gun Gracie had serious potential.
“You get bits and pieces from different people,” Browne said.
“Even from the breakers, they said we would be pretty happy with a barn full of these.
Then Troy (Turner) does a bit of work on her and said the Maschino breed can throw a top liner.
You hear bits and pieces and it sort of builds and builds and builds from that.”
So far, those predictions have held up. Debuting in February at Bunbury, Machine Gun Gracie has now won twice and placed twice from just four starts.
A $45,000 purchase, she’s already earned $167,100 in prize money and bonuses, with another $164,400 on the line if she can win the Oaks.
Trainer Justine Erkelens, who picked her out at the Perth Magic Millions Sale, is being credited for her expert judgment.
“Justine is very, very good at it,” Browne said.
“I credit her with everything.
You buy them and two years later you hope they can get to this point.
There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to get there.
I didn’t know how it was going to work when I saw her.
She was just massive, legs like spiders when we bought her.
To what she has blossomed into now is a credit to Justine.”
Machine Gun Gracie is the $1.70 favourite with Tabtouch heading into Saturday’s feature. Twilight Tale is second pick at $3.70 with online wagering sites.
Shaun O’Donnell will take the ride, with the filly drawn in barrier seven against eight rivals.