Trainer Phil Grantham's barnstorming finish to the Broome season continued last Saturday when he won three races and gained four seconds and one third placing from his nine starters. Two of the wins were in the feature events: The Kimberley Cup with Tearinupthecountry and the Kailis Pearls Sprint with Stratazoa. Grantham's performance has renewed interest in the Trainer of The Year award and with just two meetings remaining he trails Dave Casey by just nine points.
Tearinupthecountry's gutsy win was a fine dress rehearsal for the $70,000 Broome Cup in a fortnight. Jockey Shaun Meeres had the gelding sitting just off the pace before unwinding a strong run in the straight to narrowly defeat Katz Kid and the favourite Great Destiny.
Stratazoa maintained his recent excellent form with consecutive wins but it was the performance of second placegetter and stable mate Stella Regale who caught the eye. He appears to have regained form at the right time and will pose a serious threat in chasing a third Broome Sprint. Homme and Code of Silence also put in slashing trials and their chances cannot be dismissed.
Chesta Piniton scored an upset win in the opening event: the West Coast Shade Maiden (1300m). The Fiona Scott-trained gelding, who had failed to finish in the money at his previous nine starts, was having his first run in Broome.
Trainer Jane Hossell has worked wonders with four-year-old Rippa Rossa who scored a stylish win in the Crystal Surf and Fashion Handicap (1600m). Rippa Rossa has been a model of consistency for Hossell this season and is developing into a handy galloper for her stable.
Stirrup Iron Jack caused a boil over when he led all the way to win the Kimberley Waste Handicap (1800m). A distant sixth at weight-for-age the previous week, the Angela Smith-trained gelding appreciated the drop in class and never looked in danger as he led his rivals a merry dance to win by nearly five lengths.
The biggest upset of the afternoon was in the Coca Cola Handicap (1200m) when rank outsider Circus Pony displayed a form reversal to blitz his rivals. It was a welcome change of luck for trainer Peter Strange and returned $71.80 and $9.90 on the TAB.
There are only two meetings remaining before the conclusion of the Broome season: Ladies Day on August 6 and the Broome Cup on August 9.
