There’s a healthy Finals Day prize up for grabs, but Ethan Brown knows he could be riding for much more than that when he teams with Berkshire Breeze in Saturday’s $150,000 Banjo Paterson Series Final at Flemington.
An effortless win at the same track four weeks earlier swiftly elevated the Ciaron Maher-trained import to one of the most exciting stayers in the country.
That means there are many rivals who would love to be in Brown’s position and he considers this weekend’s 2500m race an opportunity to further consolidate their partnership.
“There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and spring, but if I can cement myself on him this prep it can only be a help come springtime,” the 25-year-old jockey said.
“He’s very exciting. This is what you get up for early in the early morning in the bad weather. It makes it all worthwhile.”
Berkshire Breeze, a five-year-old son of Mastercraftsman, made jaws drop with his 4-3/4-length last-start win, which could have been almost doubled had Brown desired.
“I shouldn’t have got paid for that one, it was like a track gallop,” he said.
“It was an amazing feeling. Every race you strive for that; a horse that actually travels up for you and lets down. It’s a great feeling and even better when it’s in town.”
The Flemington success followed a three-length win over 2025m in BM70 grade at Cranbourne, which are among just four runs in Australia for Berkshire Breeze, who won his final two starts in England before coming to Australia.
He counts another Banjo Paterson Series heat winner, Born A King (60kg), and Victoria Derby placegetter Aberfeldie Boy (56kg) among his rivals this weekend, but stays down in the weights at 54.5kg, which Brown says will help him again display his ‘electric’ turn of foot.
“It’s a small field and I think it’s pretty simple; just ride him how he’s travelling and hope he puts his best foot forward,” Brown said.
“He’s pretty electric for a stayer. I just like the way he jumps and travels and, when you ask him, he really lets go.
“I feel some stayers it can take a bit to stoke them up and get them into their top gear, but he seems to do a lot on his own. He’s got a lot of natural ability.”
Berkshire Breeze is not the only exciting member of the Maher stable Brown has the job aboard on Saturday, also booked to partner Pharari in the $175,000 Listed Creswick Sprint Series Final (1200m).
The daughter of American Pharoah is the lowest-rated horse in the race on official handicapper ratings, but has won her two starts this campaign by a combined 13-3/4 lengths and is $2.10 favourite to complete the hat-trick.
“It’s a step up in grade, but she’s put the writing on the wall at her past two starts and there’s no reason she can’t measure up,” he said.
“I know she’s competing in a Stakes race, but she gives me the feel of a Stakes-class horse.”
