Builder revels on dirt, cements victory

Trainer Tom Pike unearthed a second string to his bow when Builder O’Reilly won brilliantly by six lengths over 1800m in the West Coast Shade 1800m Handicap last Saturday.

Pike, who is searching for successive Broome Cup wins, won last year’s cup with Marseillaise, and O’Reilly, a former Victorian in his second Broome start, could not have been more impressive.

The field was not overly strong but he treated his rivals with contempt and could be headed for bigger and better things.

The five-year-old never rose to any great heights in the east, winning three races on provincial tracks, but he has won to 2100m and revelled on the dirt track. Pike has Marseillaise coming along nicely for another tilt at the cup.

The gelding was in just his second Broome start this season, finishing sixth behind Seize Control over 1600m.

Marseillaise should now be ready to reproduce his best form over longer distances.

Seize Control, also a cup contender, led all the way to win by three lengths and gave trainer Darryn Pateman the second leg of a double, after Danzmait was successful in race three.

Rock of Honour carried on his winning ways with a fourth successive win.

Plain Lucky made it three wins from four starts with a runaway victory in the sprint over 1200m. The Derby-trained Hinzley led all the way in race five.

Bunbury trainer David Jones, who only arrived in Broome two weeks ago, did not take long to crack the ice when Billestrini impressively won the maiden over 1300m.

Bunbury-based trainer Jim Enright celebrated after Sea God stormed home to win race seven over 1600m.