They’ve experienced this ride before, but it doesn’t make it any less thrilling for Browne and Curtis.
As part-owners of rising WA star Machine Gun Gracie, the pair are once again in the spotlight, with hopes high ahead of Saturday’s Group 3 Drummond Golf-WA Oaks (2400m) at Ascot.
The filly heads into the feature as the clear favourite after a runaway win in the Natasha Stakes (2200m) last weekend, strengthening her status as one of the most promising horses in the west.
She took up the lead early and never looked back, kicking away to win by 3 ½ lengths over Twilight Tale in a performance that stamped her as the Oaks frontrunner.
For Browne and Curtis, it feels like déjà vu. Just twelve months ago, they celebrated WA Oaks success with Own The Queen, another dominant filly who also swept the Ascot 1000 Guineas and Natasha Stakes en route to the big prize.
“It’s been a couple of good years to be honest and we’ve had a good run,” Browne said to Racing WA.
“You pinch yourself with that bit of luck, I thought I may have used it all up last season.
We’re enjoying the run we’re having.
We knew we had this one in the background, but a lot of things have to go right, timing is everything.
We’re excited, but I’m getting nervous, Kelly rides it out a bit better than me.
You sort of know what to expect, but it’s still nerve racking,
Hopefully it’s a rinse and repeat of the Natasha.”
From early on, there were whispers that Machine Gun Gracie could be something special, and Browne remembers those early signs.
“You get bits and pieces from different people,” Browne said.
“Even from the breakers, they said we would be pretty happy with a barn full of these.
Then Troy (Turner) does a bit of work on her and said the Maschino breed can throw a top liner.
You hear bits and pieces and it sort of builds and builds and builds from that.”
Machine Gun Gracie has wasted no time delivering on that promise. Since debuting in February, she has collected two wins and two placings from just four outings.
Purchased for $45,000, she’s already banked $167,100 and could add another $164,400 with a WA Oaks win.
Trainer Justine Erkelens, who bought the filly at the Perth Magic Millions, is being praised for her keen eye.
“Justine is very, very good at it,” Browne said.
“I credit her with everything.
You buy them and two years later you hope they can get to this point.
There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to get there.
I didn’t know how it was going to work when I saw her.
She was just massive, legs like spiders when we bought her.
To what she has blossomed into now is a credit to Justine.”
According to Tabtouch, Machine Gun Gracie is a $1.70 favourite for the Oaks, while Twilight Tale is next best at $3.70 with online wagering sites.
Shaun O’Donnell retains the ride and will jump from gate seven in a field of nine.
