While he was feeling positive about his season ahead in the saddle, the lack of available jumps jockeys concerned him.
''The horses are coming back and the scene is taking off again; we are just lacking in a few jockeys at the moment.
''It is either one or the other.
''You either have lots of jockeys and not enough horses or heaps of horses and not enough jockeys.''
Browne also thinks that attracting more jumps jockeys to the saddle is only going to get harder for the racing industry.
The educational pathways are just not there to attract people into the job, especially considering there are so many easier ways to make a living, he said.
Browne admits he has a passion for horses that keeps him in the saddle.
Outside of riding, he and wife Charlene run a pretraining and agistment business that caters for all kinds of horses, from thoroughbreds to standardbreds and riding ponies.
''Its only really a hobby, the jumps racing - you can't really make a living out of it.''
Today, Browne will reunite with the Leda Beck-trained Drumgold in race 2, today's restricted open hurdle.
Drumgold impressed his rider with his win at Riverton's Easter Carnival, in the horse's first attempt over hurdles.
''I couldn't be happier with him. He was very good.''
The jockey ''most definitely'' thinks the horse should improve with not only that jumping experience, but also the fitness benefit the race would have given him.
Brown's two other rides on today's programme are also on Leda Beck-trained runners.
Though Likewise in race 1 and Gargamel in race 4 are both first up over jumps this campaign, the jockey has some insight into how they may go from recent jumping trialling and schooling days held at Riverton.
Gargamel gave Browne the feel that he had returned in good fettle for his jumping season.
''Leda brought him along about a month ago and we had a sit on him and he jumped nine hurdles and he felt very very good.''
The jockey ''can't wait'' to get back on the former Grand National Hurdle winner on raceday, which will be the real test of how well the horse has come up again this campaign.
''It will be a big find-out for us.
''It is a long season for him. We know he has got ability. If he keeps sound, he will probably end up going for a North Island trip again - who knows?''
Browne also recently schooled Likewise ahead of her first jumping run this campaign.
''She is still learning; she is only a maidener.
''If she can sit in behind them, if she has the ability, she can come over the top of them.''
-By Jonny Turner
