Hollindale Stakes 2016: Damian Browne rekindles successful relationship with Sheik when he climbs aboard It’s Somewhat

IT’S one thing to ride for the Sheik ... it’s quite another to get to shake his hand.

Earthquake and Damian Browne (right) combine to win the 2014 Blue Diamond for Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Picture: Michael Klein

IT IS one thing to ride for the Sheik but it is quite another to get to shake his hand.

Laidback Queensland jockey Damian Browne has enjoyed a long and successful relationship with Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which will continue on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

But he has never met the Cambridge-educated Sheik, one of the world’s richest men who is not only the boss of Godolphin but also the Emir of Dubai and Prime Minister of the UAE.

Browne, who won the Blue Diamond on Earthquake for the Sheik in 2014, almost got to Sheik it up with royalty in Dubai when he won there on Buffering last month.

“I’ve never met the Sheik but I got pretty close to him recently. I probably wouldn’t know what to say to him. I can’t imagine we would have too much in common,” Browne said.

Browne will be working for the Sheik again on Saturday when he rides It’s Somewhat, one of three John O’Shea runners in the blue colours of Godolphin in the Hollindale Stakes.

Showing how highly the Caloundra jockey is regarded by big-name interstate trainers, he will also ride for Lee and Anthony Freedman (Santa Ana Lane in the Gold Coast Guineas) and Peter and Paul Snowden (Falkenberg in the Gold Coast Bracelet).

Browne will also be on key runner Hopfgarten in the Prime Minister’s Cup as he gets back to work after the disappointment of Buffering’s Hong Kong failure.

Godolphin promised Browne the ride on the second-best of their three chances in the Hollindale Stakes, but he believes he is on their best.

That could be an interesting pointer considering It’s Somewhat ($13 on UBET) is less fancied than Hauraki ($3) and Old North ($5.50).

Buffering and Damian Browne after winning in the Al-Quoz Sprint in Dubai. Picture: AFP

“When they phoned me they said I would be on their No. 2 horse of their three in the race, but to be honest I think I’m on their best,” Browne said.

“If you look at the most recent runs, It’s Somewhat beat home Hauraki by half a length in the Queen Elizabeth. There are quite a few chances in the Hollindale but I think It’s Somewhat is in the race up to his ears.

“I haven’t ridden too many Godolphin horses in the last 12 months but I have always had a good association with Henry Plumptre (Australian Godolphin boss) and it’s great to get another opportunity.”

Browne will take a patient wait-and-see approach to lining up rides for the Winter Carnival Group 1s, although he is likely to ride either Charlie Boy or Dothraki for the Snowdens in next Saturday’s Group 1 BTC Cup.

With Buffering’s future uncertain, Browne has revealed how he felt Queensland’s iron horse wasn’t quite himself in the minutes before he failed in Hong Kong.

“I had an inkling before the start that he wasn’t the same horse he usually is. He sweated up which isn’t like him and he didn’t seem like he was on his game,” he said.

“Buffering will have a good break now and then we will have a look at him at track work to see whether he is showing the same enthusiasm that he has always had for racing.’’

Saluting: Damian Browne on Earthquake after winning the Blue Diamond. Picture: Michael Klein

Originally published as Hollindale Stakes 2016: Damian Browne rekindles successful relationship with Sheik when he climbs aboard It’s Somewhat