Showing any talent early days on the racetrack here in Australia usually warrants some interest from overseas buyers, and winning a big group race as a three-year-old only motivates those callers more. Brown says the phone has been ringing non-stop since his debut with offers to purchase the New Zealand-bred colt, but despite the lucrative quotes, the ownership group are keen to keep him. “We had some fair offers come rolling in for him, which is great because you know you have a horse that a lot of people are after. “It is hard to say no, but these are the horses we need in the stable, and we want to win big races, so thankfully, the owners were pretty happy to keep him, and we race on.” The win in the Alister Clark was the biggest of Brown’s career so far, but a foggy memory of the spectacle itself remains the order of the day for the Cranbourne trainer. “It was a big blur from the 600 when he popped off and started edging into it. “It’s probably the loudest I’ve ever yelled on a racetrack. I know that! “But it was a big thrill. Obviously, my father being my biggest backer, he was there and my other main owner Benny (D’Baco) with his wife Ev, so to have them on course and win a big race meant a lot.” The victory wasn’t just the highlight of Brown’s career so far, but it was also the biggest race that jockey Beau Mertens had won. Mertens rode Prix De Turn on debut but was offered the ride again in the Alister Clark after usual pilot Brian Higgins suffered a fall in trackwork and dislocated his shoulder. He didn’t let his opportunity go to waste. The expert ride earnt him the Drummond Golf Ride of the Season, saving his best efforts to the second last meeting of the Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights fixture. According to Brown, Prix De Turn trialled at Cranbourne on Monday morning and didn’t appreciate the heavy going. Track dependent, he could be making his race return at The Valley this week, with races like the Metropolitan Handicap in Sydney circled as possible targets come Spring. “Through his pedigree, he should see a trip right out. “His mum ran fourth over 3200 metres and in a Derby as well, so he has plenty of stamina in his pedigree. “I’m hoping that 2400 metres is going to be no worry for him,” Brown concluded.
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