Angela Smith will find it hard to match Viscount Cameron’s emotional Broome Cup victory, but her grand campaigner Corporate Larrikin could give it a shake.
The durable 12-year-old is having his 100th career start in Saturday’s XXXX Broome Cup (2200m) and despite being an $18 chance, he’s capable of scoring a mini upset.
While most horses his age are running around a paddock and enjoying the fruits of their retirement, Corporate Larrikin still maintains a zest and thirst for racing.
Earlier in March in the Great Southern he stole a march out in front as is his preference to win the Mount Barker Cup (2000m) by 1 ¼ lengths from Losing Ticket.
Fast forward to his previous run in the Kimberley Cup (2020m), the son of Trade Fair turned for home in front, but tired late to finish third behind Stafford’s Lad.
It was a brave effort by Corporate Larrikin, who had to concede 5 1/2 kg to the winner, considered one of the major hopes to win the Broome Cup on the weekend.
With a big pull in the weights, Stafford’s Lad finished full of running and powered over the top of Corporate Larrikin after a sweeping run from behind.
Smith believes a second Broome Cup since Viscount Cameron (2011) will be no easy task, but says regardless of the result, Corporate Larrikin is already a winner.
“He is just an amazing, magic horse,” Smith told The Races WA.
“He has to be one of the oldest horses racing in Australia.
“You don’t get to see horses of that age do what he is doing.
“He is so tough, so honest and with his pattern of racing he’s always the chopping block in front.
“His last run in the Kimberley Cup was really gutsy, carrying nearly 6kg more than the winner.
“I absolutely love him.”
Port Hedland Cup (2200m) winner Staaden has been elevated to Broome Cup favouritism over Stafford’s Lad.
Along with stable mates Deception Game and Ulusaba, he is one of three top chances for trainer Rob Gulberti.
Staaden, a lightly raced five-year-old, has firmed from $6 to $4.60. Stafford’s Lad for Dan Morton has eased to $5.
Deception Game at $7 and Darwin raider, Tugga War, at $7.50 are the other runners in single figures.
Ulusaba, runner-up in the Kimberley Cup, is next at $11.
“I reckon it’s one of the strongest Broome Cups we have had for a number of years,” Smith said.
“I not sure about the Darwin form and Ulusaba was very good in the Kimberley Cup.
“It’s an open race with a lot of chances.”
Corporate Larrikin has drawn barrier 17, Kayla Cross keeps the mount.
Peter Hall, in his last ride before retiring, can go out on a fairtyale ending aboard Deception Game.
Hall sat on Viscount Cameron to win the Broome Cup nearly a decade ago.
Viscount Cameron won the Broome Cup after two previous placings and gave Smith an emotional pick me up.
Several months prior to the race her partner Malcolm was diagnosed with a life threatening illness after he suffered bleeding to the brain.
He fought back courageously and after weeks in hospital he was able to make it to the race and share the spoils of victory with Smith.
