Impending looks like Victory for Browne
GODOLPHIN’S Queensland go-to man Damian Browne is poised to land himself a third Victory Stakes when he pilots last year’s Stradbroke winner Impending at Doomben on Saturday.
Browne won the Victory Stakes on Buffering in 2013 and Srikandi two years later.
He first struck an association with Sheik Mohammed’s Australian operation when Peter Snowden was head trainer.
Snowden liked using Browne on his Queensland runners and it led to the jockey landing the ride on Earthquake when she won the 2014 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield in Melbourne.
Browne didn’t receive as many opportunities when John O’Shea took the training reins at Godolphin but the arrival of James Cummings since has opened the doors again.
He won on Old North for Godolphin at Doomben in February.
“I won on Good Standing for James last year at the carnival, so it was quite good him getting that job,” Browne said.
“Fortunately enough, I’ve ridden for them when they’ve sent the odd one up and having a bit of luck.
“They have the quality horses. If you’re able to get on them, it’s a big advantage.”
Impending has raced only twice since the Stradbroke, running second to In Her Time in The Everest consolation at Randwick, before he was third to Redzel in the Darley Classic last November.
He trialled at Warwick Farm on April 9 and didn’t have much room in the straight but he ran through the line stylishly. He has since been given an exhibition gallop at Randwick last Saturday.
Cummings said Impending “really looks set and ready to go first up” on Saturday.