Home-town jockey has an affinity with the Guineas

TRAINER Liam Birchley said Crack Me Up put the writing on the wall with his strong second to Religify last start at Doomben.

WELL RUN: Jockey Damian Browne steers Crack Me Up to the line. Picture: Michael Mcinally Photography

RACING: Damian Browne was able to seize the initiative in a farcically run early section to win the Sunshine Coast Guineas for the third time in four years on Crack Me Up on Saturday.

Browne won on Hopfgarten in 2014 and Tivaci last year before guiding Crack Me Up home a comfortable winner in the unfamiliar role of pacemaker yesterday.

Market moves had told the story all day and the theme continued in the Guineas. Acatour had been the biggest market mover around Australia all week, but bookies couldn't wind his price out fast enough yesterday, easing from $2.40 to start $3.80.

He was given a wide run by Jeff Lloyd and failed to let down in the straight.

Browne was able to have Crack Me Up in a spot that many winners came from yesterday - up front.

"They really slowed the pace and he was able to relax well when we were in front,” Browne said.

"He was happy there and was really strong through the line.”

Trainer Liam Birchley said Crack Me Up put the writing on the wall with his strong second to Religify last start at Doomben, but admitted it was frustrating the horse hadn't won more than one race from his previous 14 starts.

"His record is probably not as good as it should be,” Birchley said.

"Last start he pushed a really good horse when the weights were against him. I think he's got a real future, he has a lot of scope and he will keep improving.”

Birchley said the fact the son of Mossman was able to lead yesterday opens up more options and will probably help enhance his record going forward.

"The last thing I expected was to see him leading. It was an unusual position for him. He's usually a horse that chases well off a good pace. He was in an unfamiliar role and he won with a lot of authority,” he said.

"He's been one of those developing horses. I really thought Eagle Farm would suit him, but when we did run there it didn't work out.”

"I am keen to try him over a bit further, just to test his range. I have to see if there's a suitable race coming up.”

The Waterhouse-Bott trained filly My True Love may have been a hard luck story in the race.

She crossed easily from her wide gate, but jockey Adam Hyeronimus elected to drop anchor and take a trail, before she ran home late for second.