Darryn Pateman, widely regarded as the ‘King Of Country Racing’ in Western Australia, is on the cusp of an historical milestone in Saturday’s Broome Cup (2200m).
If successful with one of his four runners it will mark his 100th Cup victory in WA, a remarkable achievement that underscores his dominance and longevity in regional racing.
Based in Karnup, south of Perth, Pateman has spent more than four decades crisscrossing the state, building a reputation as one of WA’s most prolific and respected trainers.
In a decorated career, Pateman has produced nearly 700 winners, with the vast majority on provincial and country tracks.
Despite his extraordinary record, Pateman remains modest, downplaying his achievements and preferring to let his horses do the talking.
“It always does mean a lot winning these country cups,” Pateman said to 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 is fielding a strong team in the $100,000 Broome Cup, a race he won for the first time with Ombudsman in 2022.
In a field of 14 starters, Pateman will saddle up four runners: Gambler’s Gold, Divine Mercy, Hafey and Masatora.
Gambler’s Gold looks to be building to peak form, having placed in his last three starts, including a third to Divine Mercy in the Kimberley Cup last-start.
“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, a War Chant seven-year-old, jumps from barrier 12.
He carriers 55.5kg for Kyra Yuill who retains the ride, 2kg less than the Kimberley Cup.
Divine Mercy was an impressive winner of the Kimberley Cup (2070m), but faces a Broome Cup hoodoo.
“He was super the other day, couldn’t have been more impressive,” Pateman said.
“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.”
Divine Mercy has barrier eight and top apprentice Natika Riordan keeps the ride.
Pateman says Hafey gets his chance to have an impact from a perfect draw.
“He’s always about the place and will get a real good run from barrier one,” Pateman said.
“He can be a couple of pairs closer and his last run was pretty good.”
Pateman says Masatora may be one to surprise and cause a boil over.
The five-year-old was doing his best work late in the Kimberley Cup and jockey Jerry Noske was eager to stay on for the Broome Cup.
“He’s a real good chance,” Pateman said.
“Jerry (Noske) rode him the other day and was super happy with the way he went.
“He’ll need every bit of the 2200m.”
While reluctant to split his runners, Pateman leaned slightly to Gambler’s Gold and Divine Mercy as his leading hopes.
