Golden Ticket for Basilinna

Emma-Lee and David Browne will now wrap Basilinna in cotton wool after the mare won a Golden Ticket into the Melbourne Cup.

Success in the Listed Lexus Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday provided Basilinna with a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November.

Handling the Soft 7 conditions with aplomb, Basilinna ($21) with Dean Yendall aboard, scored a 1-¼ length win from Glentaneous ($101) with Ferneo ($14) a further 1-½ lengths away third.

Emma-Lee Browne said the victory on Saturday, combined with a ballot exemption into Australia's greatest race, means a lot to both her and her husband along with the entire stable.

"I'm a little bit overwhelmed," Browne said.

"She's a horse that means a lot to me and I can't believe that she did it.

"When the rain came we were pretty confident, but she is a proper princess and it might have been too much rain, but she just handled it so well.

"We've just got to wrap her in cotton wool now and we'll be back here in November.

"It's a massive thing for our whole stable."

Since settling in Australia in 2022, the Browne's have continued an upward spiral.

The 2024-25 season has so far been a good one for the couple with success in the $1 million VOBIS Showdown at Caulfield in March only topped by Saturday's success.

"We've had a great season, but this has really topped it off," Browne said.

Browne was devastated at the death of her jumper Monarch Chimes in 2019 and her husband purchased Basilinna's dam So Royal as a 'replacement'.

"Her mum's by Shinko King and I laughed and said 'you can't replace him' but I think he's done a pretty good job," Browne said.

"We bred her and she's done a pretty good job.

"Right from the start today, she was handling the track great and I think I will be the only one hoping for rain in November."