Groundhog Day for Machine Gun Gracie owners

It’s Groundhog Day for Greg Browne and his partner, Kelly Curtis.

They’ve been down this path before, but familiarity doesn’t reduce their nervous anticipation.

Browne and Curtis are part owners of exciting filly, Machine Gun Gracie, who is being touted as the next big thing in WA racing.

Her reputation will only enhance if she happens to take out the Group 3 Drummond Golf-WA Oaks (2400m) at Ascot on Saturday.

And there is a big chunk of punters who are convinced she will and have backed her in.

She’s the raging odds-on favourite and cemented that status after demolishing her opposition in last Saturday week’s Natasha Stakes (2200m).

The Maschino filly gave her 11 other rivals a spanking, leading all the way and putting up a 3 ½ length margin over runner-up Twilight Tale.

Browne and Curtis went through all this before, as soon as 12-months ago when Own The Queen won the WA Oaks as the market leader.

The daughter of Awesome Rock was the star filly on the scene last season, taking her owners on an amazing run of success.

She won five straight races, including the Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m) and Natasha Stakes before the big one in the WA Oaks.

To share ownership in one exciting horse is a blessing, to have two in successive years chasing a big win is a unique experience.

It’s a bit surreal, but for Browne, he’s still pinching himself that he’s in a position to win the WA Oaks for a second year running.

“It’s been a couple of good years to be honest and we’ve had a good run,” Browne said to Racing WA.

“You pinch yourself with that bit of luck, I thought I may have used it all up last season.

“We’re enjoying the run we’re having.

“We knew we had this one in the background, but a lot of things have to go right, timing is everything.

“We’re excited, but I’m getting nervous, Kelly rides it out a bit better than me.

“You sort of know what to expect, but it’s still nerve racking,

“Hopefully it’s a rinse and repeat of the Natasha.”

Browne had inkling early that Machine Gun Gracie could be a horse with above average ability.

“You get bits and pieces from different people,” Browne said.

“Even from the breakers, they said we would be pretty happy with a barn full of these.

“Then Troy (Turner) does a bit of work on her and said the Maschino breed can throw a top liner.

“You hear bits and pieces and it sort of builds and builds and builds from that.”

Those sentiments haven’t been too far off the mark.

It’s been a fairly rapid rise for Machine Gun Gracie. Since her debut at Bunbury in February, she’s won two races and placed twice from four starts.

After costing $45,000, she’s in the positive for her owners, currently sitting at $167,100 in earnings and bonuses.

That prize kitty will swell an extra $164,400 if she wins the Oaks.

An astute purchase by trainer Justine Erkelens at the Perth Magic Millions Sale, is reaping big results

“Justine is very, very good at it,” Browne said.

“I credit her with everything.

“You buy them and two years later you hope they can get to this point.

“There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to get there.

“I didn’t know how it was going to work when I saw her.

“She was just massive, legs like spiders when we bought her.

“To what she has blossomed into now is a credit to Justine.”

In their Oaks market, Tabtouch has Machine Gun Gracie at $1.70.

Twilight Tale is next at $3.70.

Machine Gun Gracie will be ridden in the Oaks by Shaun O'Donnell.

Against eight rivals, she jumps from barrier seven.

 Julio Santarelli