Comeback reinsman Don Brown admits it has been a serious learning curve to get back into the sulky after almost two decades away from the sport but if it's for his close mate Al Barnes, then he is more than happy to put in the hard yards.
The 46-year-old Brown has been a new face at the races and in the harness form guide in the Sunshine State after making an unexpected return to the bike in recent weeks.
Back in 2000, Brown was based on the Gold Coast driving for Barnes who trained out of the local area.
Harness racing took Brown to the USA soon after, where he drove at tracks such as the Meadowlands, before he spent around 17 years away from the sport.
Fast forward to the back end of 2025 and Brown is back driving winners for his long-time mate Barnes.
“I always wanted to get back to into it,” Brown said.
“The opportunity came up to come here and help Al out while also bringing a few horses up from Victoria.
“When I heard Al was crook, I was keen to give him a hand and see if I could help out.
“The idea was to have a bit of fun. It has been a massive change of lifestyle, but I am enjoying it.”
While Brown has not driven in races since the 2006-07 season, he has remained connected to the game by owning standardbreds.
He snagged his first winner back since the 2002-03 campaign last week when trotter Lizzies Son got the cash at Albion Park.
Brown was able to chalk up victory at his seventh drive since returning.
Brown’s last driving winner was in December of 2002, when partnering with Pouch to win at Kilmore.
To make the result even sweeter, Brown part-owns the square gaiter alongside Barnes’ Northview Park operation.
The five-year-old gelding is only a newcomer to Barnes team after previously racing in Victoria.
Lizzies Son is back at the races on Thursday afternoon and the returning reinsman believes he can quickly double up.
“It was great and good to get that first one out of the way, especially with one we own,” he said of last week’s triumph.
“We bought this horse specifically to target these races because of his rating.
“We thought he could do a job and looks like he will have a bit of a pretty bright future.
“The draw on Thursday is perfect; he just likes to be uncluttered so he will get away safe.
“He should be in the finish, for sure.
“It looks like a winnable race as he drops in grade a little bit from his last start, while having a trial in between. He will be good.”
Back in 2000, Brown headed north to the Gold Coast to drive a horse for Barnes and he remained in the Sunshine State for a year.
He has remained in contact with popular Queensland horseman Barnes ever since.
In his time away from the sport, Brown ran an excavation business at Bendigo in regional Victoria.
He has put those business interests on hold in the meantime while he has a crack at harness racing once again.
As he has not driven competitively since the 2006-07 term, Brown says plenty has changed on the track and he is doing his best to adapt.
“It has taken a lot of training for me with all the new whip rules and carts, as well as driving styles,” he said.
“It has taken a lot of trackwork and trials, even a lot of racing to get back into the feel of it.
“I am certainly more comfortable with it now.
“I am just getting used to the driving style of these days that is hyper aggressive and very different to what I am used to. It is just flat out the whole time.”
The 53-year-old Barnes is preparing a team of a dozen at Fairney View.
Brown says he is not actively seeking outside drives from Barnes’ barn but would happily take some if they were offered.
