Butterlea Lad leads from top of the straight to win 27th Kimberley Cup in Broome

Butterlea Lad took the spoils in the 27th running of the Kimberley Cup, a lead-up race for the Broome Cup, at the Broome Turf Club on Saturday.

The field included stars such as Media Baron, the grey which had won a Geraldton Cup and various listed races in Perth; Superior Smile, which had been placed in six southern cup races in 2020, and Diamond Tonique, which ran second in this race in 2018, going on to win the Broome Cup the same year.

Punters put their faith in the Bruce Kay stable’s Sheikh It, a last-start winner.

But after a slow start it was used up early to try and gain a favourable position, and had little left when it mattered most.

Media Baron, from a wide barrier, appeared not to appreciate racing on a dirt track and raced at the rear, while Diamond Tonique, ridden on the pace for most of the race, finished mid-field.

Superior Smile, at an outside quote, ran a pleasing race to finish fourth and may appreciate the extra 200 metres of the Broome Cup.

The winner Butterlea Lad, ridden a treat by Chris Nicoll, was positioned on the pace behind pacemaker Stocktaka and went to the lead at the top of the straight and won by a length.

The Blackfriars gelding Blackwater Bay, after trailing the field for most of the race, flashed home to finish third.

Trained on the track by Luke Morton who won this race last year with Stafford’s Lad, Butterlea Lad gives the impression that it will get the extra 200 metres of the Broome Cup.

In other races on the program, Bonnie Palise rode two winners for the Jake and Sean Casey stable, and apprentice hoop Austin Galati continued his good season with another winning double.

Dance Cockey continued its winning form for the Carey Martin stable, when it won the 1300 metre sprint and lowered the track record for the journey.

Ladies’ Day next Tuesday is the next big event at the Broome Turf Club, with the Broome Cup on Saturday August 13.