Caloundra Cup 2016: Damian Browne aims to cash in on Australia’s fairest track

AS he plots to win consecutive Caloundra Cups, Group 1-winning hoop Damian Browne has rated his local Sunshine Coast track as Australia’s fairest racing surface.

Can they do it again? Maurus and jockey Damian Browne make easy work of the Ipswich Cup. Picture: Liam Kidston

AS Damian Browne plots to win consecutive Caloundra Cups, the Group 1-winning hoop has rated his local Sunshine Coast track as Australia’s best and fairest racing surface.

The elite jockey, who has won Group 1s in three Australian states and on iron sprinter Buffering in Dubai, believes the coast track perfectly suits his riding style.

HOT TIPS: WEEKEND BEST BETS

BEAT THE BOOKIE: VALUE TIPS

Browne has a nice book of rides on Saturday including Caloundra Cup favourite Maurus ($1.80), Tivaci ($3.80 in the Sunshine Coast Guineas) and Ninth Legion ($8 in the Glasshouse Handicap).

“I think the Sunshine Coast track is the best track I have ridden on in Australia,’’ Browne said.

“Every horse gets its chance and there aren’t many hard luck stories on the big, expansive straight.

“It is a track which lets horses get into their rhythm and build momentum and that suits me because that is exactly how I like to ride.

“For instance, Doomben’s tight, turning track doesn’t suit my riding style nearly as much as some other jockeys.

“Doomben is really a track for the bustling-type riders, whereas I feel Sunshine Coast is really well suited to my riding style.’’

Browne lives only a stone’s throw from Corbould Park and last year he again proved to be the king of the coast as the Chris Waller-trained Index Linked claimed the 2400m staying test.

Damian Brown raises his finger as Miss Cover Girl wins the Group 1 Tattersall's Club Tiara last Saturday. Picture: AAP

Index Linked will be one of Browne’s main rivals on Saturday as he looks to do the Ipswich-Caloundra Cup double with the improving David Vandyke stayer Maurus.

Maurus romped home by 3.5 lengths in the Ipswich Cup and Browne sees no reason why he cannot do it again.

Browne is keen to continue his winning association with Vandyke and foster the working bond with the former Sydney trainer.

“I am happy the topweight (Index Linked) is running because it helps keep Maurus’ weight down a little bit,” Browne said.

“He will only carry 1kg more than he did in the Ipswich Cup and I think this race will suit him just as well.

“I have got happy memories of winning this race with Index Linked last year, and I’m sure that horse will run well again, but I do believe that Maurus has a better turn of foot.’’

Browne also likes the chances of the Mike Moroney-trained Tivaci in the Sunshine Coast Guineas, the race that last year started the nine-race consecutive winning streak of star mare Winx.

Tivaci was only beaten two lengths in the recent Queensland Guineas and Browne says the colt was on the wrong part of the Eagle Farm track that day.

“Tivaci got jammed back on the fence in the worst going in the Queensland Guineas, on a day where you wanted to draw out and come down the outside,” Browne said.

“(Sunshine Coast Guineas favourite) Sold For Song obviously has to back up and run out a strong 1600m. I think there are quite a few things in Tivaci’s favour.’’

As for recent Ipswich Eye Liner winner Ninth Legion, Browne is sweating on the track being firm.

He believes it was a big effort for Ninth Legion to win at Ipswich, given he says the gelding was not suited by the soft track that day.

Damian Browne celebrates as Buffering wins the Al-Quoz Sprint in Dubai. Picture: AFP

Originally published as Caloundra Cup 2016: Damian Browne aims to cash in on Australia’s fairest track