Browne stable plots strategic paths for Scary, Statuario ahead of Adelaide targets

Emma-Lee and David Browne are carefully planning the autumn campaigns of their promising three-year-olds, Scary and Statuario, with Group 1 targets in Adelaide firmly in sight.

Scary, who finished runner-up in last year’s Victoria Derby, is being aimed at the Group 1 South Australian Derby in May. Co-trainer Emma-Lee Browne said the gelding had returned from his break in top condition and showed noticeable mental improvement.

“He’s come back super. He’s very settled in his ways now, which is great to see,” she said.

Scary recently resumed in the C.S. Hayes Stakes at Flemington and is also a potential runner in the Australian Derby at Randwick on April 5. The Brownes are keeping their options open depending on his progress in coming weeks.

Statuario, who placed recently in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes, is also under consideration for the SA Derby. However, the team is exploring the possibility of splitting the pair to avoid head-to-head competition and better suit their individual traits.

“It would be nice to split them up,” Emma-Lee explained. “I think the Autumn Stakes is a week before. He’s probably a little sharper than Scary, so we’ll probably be able to keep him a little shorter.”

The stable has been in excellent form recently, posting a 22 percent winning strike rate from their last 50 runners. That run includes major wins with McGaw in the $1 million VOBIS Showdown, Basilinna in the Yarra Valley Cup, and Le Zebra in the Bairnsdale Cup.

With their stable firing and two rising stars in the mix, the Brownes are optimistic about the Adelaide carnival and focused on giving their horses every opportunity to shine.

“It’s all about placing them right and giving them the best chance to show what they can do,” said Emma-Lee.