Darryn Pateman has made a flying start to the Broome season and looks set to build on his dominance with several top chances on Saturday.
Pateman has prepared six winners this year, double the tally of his next rival to give him an early stranglehold in the trainer’s premiership.
A star member of his hot team is Egg Freckles, who has struck back hard after a less than inspiring performance when first up on the red dirt.
The Oratorio gelding finished second last to Marcamjo but has restored pride with two impressive wins over 1400m and the mile respectively.
The four-year-old raced outside of the lead before dashing past Tender Values and led throughout to defeat King Of Olympia by 2 ¾ lengths.
Pateman is mindful Egg Freckles meets stronger opposition, but is hopeful this can be offset by barrier four and 54kg, a 4kg drop on his last-start victory.
“He goes up in class but drops back to the minimum and looks hard to beat,” said Pateman on TABradio.
“He has had seven starts and won four races so he has a little bit of talent.
“I would be surprised if he wasn’t outside of the leader or leading where he is most comfortable.
“I wasn’t going to start him but he has been doing too well.”
Pateman is adamant and equally confident stable mate Danzmait can atone and reproduce her fighting front-running win over Luck’s Elusive in May.
She lumps equal top weight in the Roadline Civil Engineering Handicap (1435m) but should find the grade easier than her previous seventh to Danreign.
“She will be very hard to beat,” said Pateman.
“She only knows one way and that is flat out all the way.
“Good luck if you can run over her.”
Corrijem has shown mixed form this campaign, but Pateman rates her chances highly against a competitive line up in the Broome Aviation Handicap (1200m).
The Chorister, Banghai and Dust ‘N’ Diamonds are racing well enough to potentially loom as the biggest stumbling blocks for Corrijem.
She gave punters a good sight when first up in May but faded to third behind Danecan after she attempted to lead throughout.
Her next start was a major flop and one to erase from the memory bank when she trailed Iron Jacket by a whopping 20 lengths.
However, with increased fitness and luck in running, Corrijem has scope for improvement.
“She is a horse who needs everything to go her way.
“From barrier one and with good pace that should happen.
“She’s had issues but has enough ability to be right in the finish.”
There was joy for Pateman when Wise Decision, placed at his first three starts, shed his maiden status with a runaway 3 ¾ length win over All Ruby at Broome on June 20.
Pateman is confident the Oratorio gelding has the capacity to pull out another forward showing in the Clark Rubber Handicap (1200m, but is wary of his wide draw.
“He has shown a fair bit throughout his life and the good thing about his win was the quick time he ran,” said Pateman.
“There is going to be a lot of speed in this race and they are going to go very hard and very quick.
“He may have to take the opportunity of sitting behind to see if he can finish off for a change.
“The best part of his win the other day was his last 100m when he got away from them.
“He is not a no hoper and has a bit of talent.”
Former Queensland galloper, Metallurgical, Ron’s Burgundy, Reviewing and Justin Louise are given place chances by Pateman
The eight race Broome programme commences at 12:31pm.
RWWA: Julio Santarelli