Damian Browne uses local knowledge to steer Tivaci to victory in Sunshine Coast Guineas

KING of the coast Damian Browne joked he got Sunshine Coast Guineas winner Tivaci to the best part of the track by accident.

Damian Browne steers Tivaci to victory on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters

KING of the coast Damian Browne joked he got Sunshine Coast Guineas winner Tivaci to the best part of the track by accident.

But the reality is the former Kiwi knows his local track like the back of his hand. And possibly even better.

Using his local knowledge of every bit of grass on the Corbould Park surface, Browne gave Tivaci a perfect run, fourth on the fence, before extricating him out to the best going at the perfect time.

“I must have found the crown (best part) of the track by accident,” Browne quipped. “But in all honestly, everything worked out beautifully. He travelled really nicely and I probably got to the front a little bit too soon because I was going that easy.

“But he just took off and got the job done. Fortunately, he was able to show what we knew he was able to do.”

There were no excuses behind the Mike Moroney-trained Tivaci, in the race which last year kicked off the incredible nine-race winning sequence of superstar mare Winx.

However, Peter Snowden believes second-placed High Spirit has a nice future.

“I think he wants further and 2000m will be no problems for him,” Snowden said. “Travelling away from home has improved this horse out of sight and I think he could have a bright racing career in front of him.”

Toowoomba filly Sold For Song flashed home from last to run third, and trainer Kevin Kemp indicated she had earned a well-deserved spell.

“She has done a great job this campaign, and to run home so strongly from last in the Guineas was a great effort,” Kemp said. “She will have a break now and I will have a think about where we take her when she comes back.”

Tivaci started the $3.20 favourite as punters were prepared to forgive his sixth in last month’s Queensland Guineas. Browne was always confident he would be able to make amends for the Eagle Farm run.

“That day in the Queensland Guineas he began terribly and was well back and on the inside of horses,” Browne said. “He didn’t appreciate that but that day I had no option but to look for a run on the fence which was no good.”

Originally published as Damian Browne uses local knowledge to steer Tivaci to victory in Sunshine Coast Guineas