Darryn Pateman, known as the ‘King Of Country Racing’ in Western Australia, is poised to reach a historic milestone in Saturday’s Broome Cup (2200m). A win with any of his four runners would give Pateman his 100th Cup victory in WA – a remarkable feat that highlights his enduring success in regional racing.
Based in Karnup, south of Perth, Pateman has dedicated more than 40 years to travelling across the state, establishing himself as one of WA’s most prolific and respected trainers. With nearly 700 career winners, the majority on country and provincial tracks, he remains humble about his achievements. “It always does mean a lot winning these country cups,” Pateman told Racing WA. “The other day we got our 99th in the Kimberley Cup, we’re one short of the ton. I’ve won an Australia Day Cup, three or four Derby Cups, a couple of Mount Barker Cups – they all add up. It’s just one of those records that you keep, it doesn’t mean much in the overall context, but they are mini milestones along the way. I’ve been around a while so you have to keep attacking.”
Pateman first claimed the Broome Cup in 2022 with Ombudsman and will saddle four contenders this year: Gambler’s Gold, Divine Mercy, Hafey and Masatora. Gambler’s Gold has been building towards peak fitness, placing in his last three runs including a third to Divine Mercy in the Kimberley Cup (2070m). “He was runner up last year in the Broome Cup, so has been there and done it,” Pateman said. “Everything he’s done has been perfect. He’s dropping in weight; barrier won’t worry him because he gets back. This race has been his main aim since we’ve come up here.” Gambler’s Gold jumps from barrier 12 carrying 55.5kg under Kyra Yuill, 2kg less than last start.
Divine Mercy, an impressive last-start Kimberley Cup winner, will attempt to defy a long-standing Broome Cup trend. “There is no reason why he’s not up to it, he just has to beat the Kimberley curse. The winner of the Kimberley Cup never wins the Broome Cup – I think it’s been about 25 years since the last one,” Pateman said. He has drawn barrier eight with top apprentice Natika Riordan to ride. Hafey will jump from barrier one, giving him the opportunity to race closer in the run. “He’s always about the place and will get a real good run from barrier one,” Pateman said.
Masatora, meanwhile, is considered a potential upset chance after running on strongly in the Kimberley Cup. “Jerry (Noske) rode him the other day and was super happy with the way he went. He’ll need every bit of the 2200m,” Pateman said. While reluctant to split his team, Pateman indicated Gambler’s Gold and Divine Mercy are his leading hopes for the $100,000 feature.
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