Country Cups King Tim Blee Claims Another Trophy
Mikipelo greeting the judges after his Busselton Cup win. Photo Credit- Pacepix
Tim Blee is undeniably getting quite the name for himself around the country circuit, with the Country Cups King adding another trophy to his mantel piece on Friday night after new acquisition Mikipelo took out the 2024 B.F.S Busselton Cup (2680m SS).
A new addition to the team, Mikikpelo made his debut in WA for trainer Matt Scott at Northam back in November 2023, and after a winning start for his new connections, he went on to caim the Collie Cup just 8 days later on November 26th a win so special for Tim Blee, who sadly lost his brother prior to the race.
“Mikipelo’s Collie Cup win the day before my brother’s funeral is a memory that will last forever,
“So sad that he is not here to enjoy these latest wins.” Blee said.
On Friday night at Busselton, the final meeting for the seasonal track in WA’s Southwest, the four-year-old added the Busselton Cup to his list of accomplishments at just his 24th career start, with owner Tim Blee looking likely to have some very exciting times ahead with the young racehorse.
After beginning faultlessly from barrier one on front line handicap, Corey Peterson and Mikipelo were ahead of the pack, avoiding the scrimmage in the early parts and managing to dictate terms throughout the entire journey, going on to win with absolute ease, with a 16.3m margin ahead of Im The Best NZ in 2:05:3.
A fairly cheap buy from the eastern states, Matt Scott spotted the then three-year-old advertised on the Harness Trading Ring for $10,000 and after a few negotiations, Blee walked away a very happy man with a slight discount of the ticket price, and a new horse on his way to WA in hopes of chasing more country racing success.
“Trackwork suggested he would go okay first up at Northam, and he did,
“He has turned into a bit of an auto teller,
“He’s not fast from the stand but reliable and he just keeps rolling out 30 second quarters,
“I think he should win a few in town as he seems to keep improving.”
Blee, no stranger to cup success, or even Busselton Cup success, has confirmed that the trophy sits very well next to the 2022 Busselton Cup that he won with Awaitinginstructions. Blee was close to taking out the Busselton Cup the following year in 2023 with Awaitinginstructions who went down by a head to Hi Tommy.
“You know the deal, crayfish and champagne one week, cheese sandwiches and home brew the next,
“We should all enjoy it when the sun is shining, because winter is never far away.”
Admitting that Busselton is quite possibly his favourite racetrack, it’s no surprise he’s had plenty of success there this season, with Follow The Music taking out the 75th Anniversary Cup at the opening meeting of the season.
Mikipelo had four starts at Busselton this season for two wins, a second and a fourth placing.
As the season ends at the popular tourist destination, Busselton will be back and raring to on Boxing Day, December 26.
Ashleigh Paikos