If a week is a long time in racing, then 18 months is an eternity.
That’s certainly the case for Ethan Brown, who is quickly becoming one of Australia’s best young jockeys.
Brown spent more than five months on the sidelines last year, due to a race fall in March’s Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington.
He made a brief return to riding in August, before taking an indefinite break from riding in October.
The 25-year-old returned to the saddle last January and has gone from strength to strength.
Brown had scored on three occasions at Group 1 level at the start of the recent spring carnival in Melbourne.
Success in Saturday’s Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot aboard Light Infantry Man could see him double that tally.
Brown has enjoyed a stunning run of success in the saddle over the past three months, scoring wins in the Moir Stakes (1000m) and Thousand Guineas (1600m) aboard Mornington Glory and Another Prophet respectively.
He recently scored a feature race double on Cranbourne Cup Day aboard Globe and Nadal in the Cranbourne Cup (1600m) and the $1 million Meteorite (1200m) respectively.
Brown said he regularly had to pinch himself at his recent run of success.
“It’s been unreal,” Brown told Racing WA Thoroughbreds.
“It was always a goal to get going again and trying to better myself after the fall.
“The fall was a learning curve for me, and I feel as though I’ve become a better rider from the break I had.
“I feel like I’m riding the best I ever have.
“I’ve still got plenty to learn, but I’m feeling really good.”
Fittingly, Brown’s wins in the Cranbourne Cup and The Meteorite came for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr and Ciaron Maher respectively.
Brown credited the two prominent stables for his recent run of success and helping him on his return to riding.
While he was pleased to win aboard Globe, Brown said Nadal was a special talent that had the ability to win more feature races.
“I’ve ridden some good horses at track work, but I’ve never had one give me that feel,” he said.
“He’s in the right camp and heading in the right direction.
“He’s one I don’t want to let out of my sights.”
Brown’s Thousand Guineas success aboard Another Prophet saw him repel a powerful finishing burst by talented filly Aeliana, ridden by star jockey James Mcdonald.
McDonald also rode Light Infantry Man in the Railway Stakes last month, where he finished 12th behind Port Lockroy.
McDonald’s commitments at Sunday’s Hong Kong International meeting presented Brown with the opportunity to ride Light Infantry Man in the Northerly Stakes.
Brown has given punters a strong lead flying over to Perth to ride the Ciaron Maher-trained galloper and forgo key rides on the standalone Ballarat Cup meeting in Victoria.
Brown said the lure of a sixth Group 1 win of his career made the decision to fly to Perth a lot easier.
“I was offered the ride on Light Infantry Man a couple of weeks ago,” he said.
“I had to decide between this horse or Globe in the Ballarat Cup.
“It was a hard decision, but I thought I’d have a crack at the Group 1.
“They don’t hand out Group 1 races and I thought this was a good opportunity.”
Prior to the Railway Stakes, Light Infantry Man was an impressive winner of the Chester Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
The six-year-old’s task of winning the Northerly Stakes was made trickier after Tuesday’s barrier draw, where he drew 15.
Brown said he still had confidence the son of Fast Company had what it took to win the Weight-For-Age feature.
“The gate isn’t easy, so it will take a good ride from there,” he said.
“The horse is there in good order and I think he’s up to it.
“If he gets any sort of luck, he has to be a chance.”
Super Smink and Storyville share TABtouch favouritism for the $1.5 million feature at $4.80, while Light Infantry Man is a $12 chance.
After overcoming several hurdles to get back in the saddle, it would take a brave person to suggest Brown and Light Infantry Man couldn’t overcome a wide barrier to taste Group 1 success.
