Border Control in Broome Sprint Triumph
Less than two weeks after tasting Port Hedland Cup (2200m) glory with Reginald, trainer Tim Pike was celebrating again when Border Control stormed to victory in the $40,000 Tabtouch Broome Sprint (1300m), continuing his remarkable winning streak.
The eight-year-old, who had already secured five consecutive Port Hedland wins including the Richardson Sprint (1200m), has been a revelation since relocating from Sydney to Pike’s Western Australian base, proving the move a stroke of genius.
Starting as the $3.20 favourite, Border Control was slow into stride but recovered under the cool guidance of Natasha Faithfull – last season’s Australian Provincial Champion Jockey – to settle midfield. As the field swung for home, Faithfull seized her chance when the leader shifted away from the rail, driving Border Control through a gap to win by 1 ½ lengths over Make Your Point.
“He’s an absolute machine,” Pike said. “He’s beautiful, a perfect horse. I was a little bit worried at the corner, but as soon as he picked up the bit away he went.”
Faithfull earned further praise from Pike. “Thanks Tash for the ride. It was ten out of ten,” he said.
Pike is now weighing up future options, with a potential freshen-up before an Albany campaign in mind, possibly replicating the route taken by Espirito after his Broome Sprint win last year, when he contested the Fitzpatrick Plate (1230m) and Mount Barker Sprint (1300m).
Faithfull said she felt in control from a long way out. “I was travelling pretty strongly at the 600m,” she said. “I thought I had the upper hand. The leader rolled off and we got a nice run along the fence.”
The winning run could continue for Pike this weekend, with Reginald set to contest the Broome Cup.
Punters eager to get involved in the Broome Cup action can find top odds and offers through Australia’s leading betting sites.
More Racing News
Warnie flies late to win The Supernova 2025
With a composed ride inspired by Mark Zahra, jockey Thomas Stockdale steered Warnie to a breakthrough victory in the lucrative The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham. It was a signature moment for Stockdale, who delivered a tactically brilliant performance as the Ciaron Maher-trained runner stormed to victory in Southside Racing’s second slot...
Ingham triumph puts Yorkshire in 2026 Doncaster Mile mix
Tom Charlton may have been only five years old when John O’Shea secured the 2000 Villiers Stakes, but on Saturday the duo jointly celebrated Yorkshire’s commanding victory in the modern equivalent, The Ingham (1600m), at Randwick. The triumph delivered O’Shea a fourth win in the prestigious race and marked Charlton’s first...
Weeping Woman too good in the 2025 Razor Sharp Handicap
Joe Pride’s team fired on all cylinders on Saturday, with six runners producing two wins, three seconds and a third across three states, including a dominant stable quinella in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap at Randwick. Weeping Woman ($2.60 fav) finished strongest to overhaul Coal Crusher ($6), only 35 minutes after...
Taramansour provides locals with a win in the Pakenham Cup 2025
Taramansour produced a remarkable form reversal to hand Phillip Stokes his first victory in the Pakenham Cup, delivering an emotional local triumph. Stokes, who splits his time between his Morphettville operation and his Pakenham base, has had the Cup on his radar since establishing himself at the training centre in 2019. On...
Bargain buy Where’s The Circus dominates 2025 Inglis Nursery
Jean Van Overmeire made the right call in giving up a full provincial book at Newcastle to focus on a single Randwick mount, with Where’s The Circus landing a stunning upset in the Inglis Nursery. The filly, picked up online for just $1250, had impressed Van Overmeire when winning a recent...
Kris Lees sets sights on another summer strike
Kris Lees has frequently struck during Sydney’s summer feature program, and he will again field a strong hand across Randwick’s stakes races on Saturday. Lees’ achievements over the past decade include victories in The Ingham with Loch Eagle and Sense Of Occasion, as well as Razor Sharp Handicap wins with Special...
Fox on the hunt of 2025 The Supernova win
Emma-Lee and David Browne will “roll the dice” one more time with Statuario as they search for a fairytale hometown victory in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m). The Kiwi trainers shifted to Victoria in 2022 and settled into Pakenham last season, where a local Cup triumph would be particularly meaningful —...
2025 Pakenham Cup: Browne’s roll the dice one more time
Emma-Lee and David Browne will “roll the dice” one more time with Statuario as they search for a fairytale hometown victory in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m). The Kiwi trainers shifted to Victoria in 2022 and settled into Pakenham last season, where a local Cup triumph would be particularly meaningful —...
Yorkshire out to make a summer statement in 2025 The Ingham
John O’Shea’s first major breakthrough as a solo trainer came 25 years ago when Grey And Gold captured the Villiers Stakes. He added another victory with On A High and later won the race again in its rebranded form as The Ingham (1600m) in 2022 with Kirwin’s Lane. Now a decorated horseman...
Warm weather suits Rey Magnerio in 2025 The Gold Rush
Trainer Robbie Griffiths is already turning his attention to next autumn’s The Quokka, believing Rey Magnerio’s successful transition to Perth makes a return visit highly likely. Before that, the gelding steps into Saturday’s Group 3 The Gold Rush (1400m), his second appearance in Western Australia. Griffiths said the gelding has adapted superbly...