Brown bounces back after facial surgery

9 December 2023

PROMISING young reinsman Jack Brown thought his year was over when he had to take a break from the game for facial surgery.

Having the best year of his life, Brown was brought back to earth when a tumour in a gland on his jaw had to be removed to prevent anything more serious from occurring.

Yet the 19-year-old, who now has 151 winners on his resume, bounced back quicker than even he thought he would.

His boss, gun trainer Jack Trainor, was just as pleased to be able to send Brown to the provincial meetings with some of their horses.

And he capped a marvellous night at Penrith on Thursday with four winners on the eight-race program, scoring with Bologna and Ardens Delight (for Trainor) and Rock Of Delight and Tiger Tommy (for Kevin Pizzuto).

“We were pretty confident with Jack’s two that we thought could win,” said Brown.

“They were both well graded and are quality mares.

“The other two landed in the right spots and had the right runs and that helps.

“It was just good to be back out there.

“I did drive four winners at a Bankstown Monday meeting previously, but this was right up there.

“It was a good crowd and it was such a thrill to drive four.

“Jack [Trainor] is happy enough to stay home at drive at Menangle and send me around the traps.

“And I’m happy to drive winners anywhere I can.”

Brown has just two drives at Menangle tonight but has his sights on a double as both look serious chances.

“Denis William [Race 5] was first-up for 18 months last week and he won very well, so that was a great drive to pick up from Jason Grimson,” said Brown.

“He should go on and be a pretty nice horse.

“Constantina [Race 2] has the gate speed to hand over to whatever she wants.

“Hopefully she is in behind the leader and if she gets a clear crack at them at the top of the straight, she’ll definitely be there too.”

Brown said this season had been ‘unreal’.

“I told the doctor at the start of the month that I really wanted to get back in the gig,” he said.

“They were really happy with the way it had healed. They did an awesome job and it looks like they haven’t even cut the skin.

“Another double at Menangle tonight would just be perfect.”