Pateman’s milestone century beckons in 2025 Broome Cup

Veteran WA trainer Darryn Pateman is within striking distance of an extraordinary achievement as he prepares a four-pronged attack for Saturday’s Broome Cup (2200m). Victory for any runner would notch his 100th WA Cup win – a testament to decades of dominance in country racing.

From his Karnup stables south of Perth, Pateman has clocked up close to 700 winners across a 40-year career, most on regional tracks. “It always does mean a lot winning these country cups,” he said to Racing WA. “We got our 99th in the Kimberley Cup, so we’re one short. I’ve won an Australia Day Cup, a few Derby Cups, a couple of Mount Barker Cups – they’re all mini milestones. I’ve been around a while so you have to keep attacking.”

Pateman first lifted the Broome Cup trophy in 2022 with Ombudsman. This year, Gambler’s Gold, Divine Mercy, Hafey and Masatora will fly the stable flag. Gambler’s Gold, second in last year’s Cup, has been in strong form with three consecutive placings, including behind Divine Mercy in the Kimberley Cup (2070m). “He’s dropping in weight; barrier won’t worry him as he gets back. This race has been his target,” Pateman said. He has drawn 12 and will carry 55.5kg with Kyra Yuill aboard.

Divine Mercy’s Kimberley Cup win was commanding, but history is against him – no horse has done the double in 25 years. He lines up from barrier eight with apprentice Natika Riordan. Hafey has the advantage of barrier one for a closer run, while Masatora appeals as an outsider after a strong late finish in the Kimberley Cup, keeping Jerry Noske in the saddle. “He’ll need every bit of the 2200m,” Pateman said. Although reluctant to choose, Pateman leans slightly to Gambler’s Gold and Divine Mercy as his best chances.

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