Retired businessman Wayne Brown, now a trainer, harbours a strong affection for country racing and the South Australian lifestyle.
Having previously been based in NSW, Brown established Gawler as his home base last year and has recently opened a satellite stable in Port Lincoln. He’s also considering setting up his foreman at Strathalbyn in the near future, allowing him to step back and enjoy his racing pursuits.
However, Brown’s immediate focus is on the Sportsbet Green Tick Handicap (1200m) at Morphettville this Saturday, where his charge Power Beau is set to run. This horse is notable for delivering the trainer his sole Stakes race victory.
Regrettably, Brown anticipates a scenario where he might need to transfer Power Beau to a stable in either Brisbane or Melbourne to sustain his current racing career.
“He’s got plenty of weight and a bad barrier on Saturday,” Brown commented. “He’s a very consistent horse and he tries hard, but he got caught wide first-up and that track at Cranbourne didn’t suit.”
“We put him out after the Goodwood and gave him a break, and I thought there would be more races here to get him going, but he would probably be better going to Brisbane or Melbourne to race, because with his rating, it’s too hard to place him.”
“It gets hard with the big weights, and he has to carry 61-½ kilos on Saturday, and for him there’s not a lot of races until December.”
“He’s a horse that doesn’t travel that well and when we went to Cranbourne, we went three or four days before.”
“He would be better staying over there, and that’s what I may look at, but I would like to get him back for the summer races next year.”
Power Beau secured victory in the Listed City Of Marion Stakes over Saturday’s course and distance in February, and subsequently achieved a placing behind Shadhavar in another Listed race the following month.
The sprinter, acquired for $14,000, later competed in Adelaide’s premier sprint event, The Goodwood, finishing just over three lengths behind the winner after setting the pace.
“In the Goodwood, he over-raced and bled and only got beaten three lengths,” Brown stated. “He’s up to a Group 2 or a Group 3 over here and I think he would measure up to a Listed or a Group 3 over in Melbourne.”
“He’s getting with age and I only paid $14,000 for him. He’s paid his way and he’s a lovely, lovely horse. We’ve had a good run with him.”
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