Roach racing scurries to rewarding end for family

A touching family affair has trumped big money at the 2016 Karratha Kats Cockroach Cup, leading to immediate and questionable comparisons to last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Prince of Penzance.

After a stuttering start, rank-outsider Palm Job clicked into gear, hitting its straps as it ripped down the 2200mm race track in a matter of seconds to claim victory for owner Taylor Palmer.

Palmer was quick to bid on her winning roach at the start of the night, as it is named in honour of her family.

“I got the cockroach Palm Job because it’s been in my family and the Kats club for years and it won,” she said.

Palmer said it took days, sometimes years, to prepare for the most historic cockroach race in the Pilbara, and she was pleased to see her roach pull through for the win.

While some did draw similarities to Michelle Payne’s champion stallion in 2015, it is worth noting Prince of Penzance is still alive.

In the post-match presentation Palmer, in sticking with tradition, ate Palm Job with a minimum of fuss.

Kats president Shane Harris said cockroach racing was one of the toughest sports to pick a winner.

“I don’t think there’s any secret. You get what you get and they all seem to want to run, but some go better than others,” he said.

“It’s a fun night, a fun night and a good revenue-raiser for the club.

“Things are quiet around town but it is great to see the guys open their wallets.”

Harris said this year’s batch of 60 roaches had been plucked from the finest sewers in Karratha.

Earlier in the evening Back To The Docs, who was purchased in a syndicate backed by thePilbara News , ABC North West and Rural Clinical School, was knocked out in the heats.

There was some big money thrown around, with several roaches backed for up to $500 and one syndicate spending thousands for what was ultimately a disappointing stallion.

No roaches will go out to stud, as all are now dead.