When Peter Snowden needs a job done at carnival time, he's straight onto the phone to call Queensland-based hoop Damian Browne and luckily this Saturday he was available.
Snowden, who now trains in partnership with his son Paul, has combined with Browne countless times for a successful return including two at Group I level.
One of Queensland's best big race riders is the man that Snowden calls upon when the jockeys scatter during a carnival so with many of Sydney's best riders in Melbourne for Caulfield Cup day – Browne got the call to ride at Randwick.
"He's asked me a few times recently and I hadn't been able to help out but I didn't have lot up here on Saturday, I've been keen to go so I happily said yes," Browne said.
Browne has won at Group I level 13 times. Six of those wins came courtesy of the champ Buffering while Snowden has combined with him for two Blue Diamond Stakes wins in 2014 and 2015 with Earthquake and Pride Of Dubai.
"We've had a bit of success in the past," Browne said. "We've kicked out share of goals together.
"When you ride for Peter and Paul you know their horses are fit, well placed and they always look magnificent."
Surprisingly though Browne has never ridden a winner on a Sydney metropolitan track and he's had 36 goes.
On Saturday, he'll be out to end that unfortunate stat when he partners up with the Snowdens' mare Nancy in the Group III Nivison (1200m).
"Looking at her trials give me the impression she's trialling up pretty well," Browne said. "I'd expect her to be right in the race.
"Obviously the two mares of Ronnie Quinton's (Dixie Blossoms and Daysee Doom) are racing well but my mare has good fresh stats and I'm sure she's set to run a good race."
Nancy has opened an $8 chance for the mares' feature on Saturday.
Browne has three other rides on Saturday, Legislation for the Snowdens in the Kirkham 2YO Plate (1000m), the Chris Waller-trained Andaz in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) and David Pfieffer's Ziggy Willie in the Jem Computer Systems Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m).
