Trainer Stephen Brown gearing up for big 2014

TRAINER Stephen Brown is gearing up for a big 2014 starting on New Year's Day.

Stephen Brown

TRAINER Stephen Brown is gearing up for a big 2014 starting on New Year's Day.

Brown made a brief return to Darwin over the festive season to spend time with his wife Elisha, daughter Alana and her partner Chris Nash.

But it is only a whistle-stop visit with Brown returning to his Victorian headquarters to supervise the preparation of four horses for a hectic few days of racing.

Last-start winner Rebuild will step up to 1400m tonight at Cranbourne.

"It's only his second run (for the stable) but he is a very nice horse," Brown said.

Rebuild won over 1200m at Moonee Valley last Friday, impressing his trainer.

"The bias was there and he drew barrier one.

"He's a bit one-paced but he has a high cruising speed and he got to the front and stayed there."

The Brown action then moves to New Year's Day with three runners racing at Flemington and seven nominations for the six-race card at Fannie Bay. Eight Bills, who finished third at his first start for the stable, will contest the 1000m dash down the Flemington straight.

Sea Lord, which ran second to Richie's Vibe on Melbourne Cup Day, will line up in the Standish Handicap over 1200m also up the Flemington straight.

Kievann, a half brother to Eight Bills and owned by Bill Gibbons won a VOBIS at Kyneton on December 12, and should also go well.

In Darwin, Protesta and Reflex go around in the first race, the BMNT Handicap over 1300m.

Powlett is one of Brown's mainstays in race two, the 0-70 Handicap over 1100m.

In the fourth race, Sea Horse, who is a half-sister to Hay List, gets her chance in the 0-58 Handicap also over 1100m.

"I have talked the owners into sending her up here to Darwin," Brown said.

She was a last-start winner on December 14 at Fannie Bay over 1000m when it was Brown's daughter Alanna on board.

Smudger and Flaccid Rock take their places in race six, the BMNT Handicap over 1000m.