Jockey Ethan Brown chases Southside feature double-double with Nadal in The Supernova and Smokin’ Romans in Pakenham Cup

After winning the Cranbourne Cup and The Meteorite, jockey Ethan Brown has a big shot of completing another Southside feature double at Pakenham.

Jockey Ethan Brown has sights on a rare and historic Southside Racing feature double-double on Saturday.

Brown, who won the Cranbourne Cup and $1m The Meteorite last month, is riding favourite Nadal in the $1m The Supernova and second pick Smokin’ Romans in the Pakenham Cup.

While Brown is a chance to claim the inaugural Southside Racing slot series sweep with Nadal, records back to 1990 show no jockey has won the Cranbourne and Pakenham cups in the same year.

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Trainer Robbie Laing achieved the feat in 2009 with Sermon.

Brown, who recently became engaged to fellow jockey Celine Gaudray, is excited to reunite with Nadal on Saturday.

“He’s a class horse and he showed that last start, obviously 1400m is a question mark to a degree but he’s in the right stable and I think off his last start 1400m shouldn’t be a problem,” Brown said.

“He’s the sort of horse that can go on from a win like that (The Meteorite), they don’t fluke that sort of win.

“He’s a horse with true ability and I’m confident with him Saturday.”

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Nadal is a $2.80 favourite with Ladbrokes for The Supernova from Here To Shock ($6), Arkansaw Kid ($7.50), Tuvalu ($8) and Welwal ($9.50) among top contenders.

Nadal modelled a meteorite last start at Cranbourne with a blazing finish.

“If he shows that turn of foot (again), which I think he will, he should get over the top of them,” Brown said.

Nadal and Ethan Brown are aiming to add The Supernova to their Meteorite victory. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Nadal has barrier 12 of 14 but Brown said the wide alley suited Nadal’s racing “pattern to a degree”.

“He did draw wide enough at Cranbourne (10 of 14) and I just let him drift back,” Brown said.

“Pakenham is a bit more of a testing course, but he’s a good horse, don’t overthink it too much.”

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Brown, a six-time Group 1 winner now including three this year, is rapt to ride Smokin’ Romans in the Pakenham Cup.

Smokin’ Romans won the race in 2021, with Jamie Kah in the saddle, before a breakout spring the following year.

Brown piloted Smokin’ Romans to victory in the 2022 Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

After mixing form last year, evergreen Smokin’ Romans has “hit his straps”.

The eight-year-old won the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington two back and then placed second in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) last start at Caulfield.

“He’s been up a while but he’s put the writing on the wall and is running well,” Brown said.

“The thing about Smokey is he’s got such a good racing style, makes his own luck up on speed and by all reports he’s come through that last run well, he’ll run a bold race.

“He’ll give himself every chance, he’s rock hard fit and I’m sure he’ll be in the money to some degree.”

Brown will combine with Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Smokin' Romans in the Pakenham Cup. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Brown has seven rides at Pakenham on Saturday including Smokin’ Romans’s brother Flamin’ Romans (race 4), Smokin’ Princess (R7) and Freak Of Nature (R10).

He rode a double last Wednesday at Caulfield, his first meeting back from a Byron Bay beach break.

Brown has won 12 black-type races this year, including Group 1 Moir Stakes, Thousand Guineas and Northerly Stakes, and is motivated to maintain the momentum in 2025.

“It’s been a great year, there’s plenty of hard work behind the scenes,” Brown.

“The support I’ve been getting has been unreal and I can’t thank my supporters enough. I don’t want (2024) to end but it gives me a goal to keep going into next year and the second half of the season.”