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.