Broome Races July 11

With Max Simmonds

Peter Strange is no stranger to Broome and it hasn't been all beer and skittles for the happy-go-lucky horseman but this year he's been bowling them over and is enjoying his best season since first coming north .

Strange is in his tenth season in Broome and has had more downs than ups but keeps coming back with a smile on his face and at last it looks as though the tide has turned.

Five weeks ago he thought "hear we go again" when his float broke dwon with ten horses on board on his way to the Derby races and he was stranded on the side of the road overnight. The float had to towed to Derby next day and he was left with a hefty repair bill but things have certainly turned around since then.


Last Saturday he had a winning double taking his tally of wins this season to five and he also has had nine minor placegetters. His is now equal second for the leading trainer award and with most his team firing seems assured of more winners at the final four meetings.."

"It's been a bit of a battle over the years but you have to keep grinding away and it's great to finally get a few winners," Strange said

"And I'm so pleased for Kellie (Davidson). She's been a big help to me this season and is a most underrated jockey who fully deserves her recent success."

Davidson, a former New Zealand rider, has won four races this season and piloted Strange's two winners on Saturday.

Megapike gave Strange and Davidson their first win on Saturday when she showed dazzling speed to lead all the way over the 1300 metres of the Kimberley Glass Handicap. Strange decided to try blinkers on the mare on Saturday after she had been unplaced at her two previous starts and they made the world of difference.

A former Victorian galloper, Megapike never looked threatened at any stage and won from Rain 'N' Halo and Leica Jet. The short priced favourite Red Panther resented the dirt coming back into his face and finished a long last.

Last To Leave continued his good form for the stable when he overcame the outside barrier to win the West Kimberley Fuels Handicap. Davidson quickly had him across from his wide draw to land in the box seat and he finished too well for Charming Manners and Amberman.

Veteran jockey Danny Miller, who rode at a Broome Cup meeting 20 years ago, returned for his second visit on Saturday and didn't take long to salute the judge. He came to ride Retro Lane for his trainer son ,Shaun, in the opening race and had to call on all his vigour to get her to the line ahead of Nickeved and Spirit Catcher.

"She was under pressure at the 600 metres and I didn't think she could win," Miller said. "I just kept pumping away and was thankful when the leaders started to come back. It was great to win a race for the young bloke.":

Retro Lane gave Shaun Miller his first win of the Broome season and it was to be his last. He has decided to return to Perth.

Former Victorian galloper Cognac Bay showed that he will be the horse to beat in the Broome Sprint when he maintained his unbeaten record in Broome with a comfortable win in the 1200 metre Kimberley Waste Sprint.

Apprentice Yannick Valenti urged him to the lead in the first 200 metres before allowing him to be passed by the favourite King Crete at the 600 metres. Rounding the home turn Valenti gave Cognac Bay full rein and he quickly put the issue beyond doubt and won easing down from King Crete and Mythalo.

Valenti was the leading rider for the season before Saturday's meeting but Peter Farrell continued his outstanding form to ride the last two winners on the programme and now leads Valenti by one point. Farrell, who rode a double the previous week, has the imposing record of four wins and five minor placings from his last 11 rides.

His first win on Saturday came aboard the Dave Casey-trained Nullagine who continued on his merry way in the 1800 metres Divers Tavern Handicap.

A winner by eight lengths in Derby at his previous starts, Nullagine was sent straight to the lead by Farrell and left his rivals floundering to beat his stablemate Prince of Promise and Sportsground. It was the seven-year-old's first attempt at the distance and Casey must now be thinking of heading him for the $70,000 Broome Cup on August 8.

Doctor Golden completed Farrell's double when he produced a withering finish to beat Cash Can and Bushels in the final event. The Kelvin Moore-trained gelding was not travelling like a winner at the 600 metres when he was being urged along by Farrell but he sprouted wings to swamp the leaders in the shadows of the post.