Werd in one of his four wins this campaign

The statistics are compelling for Werd in the Group 3 Belmont Spint on Saturday. Having been winless at nine attempts in his last campaign, the change of tactics to leading has brought about a different Werd this time in.

The flying Hussonet five year old has led at seven out of eight starts this campaign for a return of four wins and three placings. His only unplaced effort was after restraining back in the field first up, a day where his rodeo performance, had him sent back to the trials.

"We realised after that day that we just had to let him run, so we went back to the trials and led throughout" regular jockey Craig Staples commented.

Chris Gangemi, stable foreman for Gangemi Racing is unwilling to throw caution to the wind. "He has been racing so well up front, so we won't be changing anything and will be leading again in the Belmont Sprint, even though it's a big jump in class for him".

No doubt this is his biggest test to date, but Werd has a proven formline in defeating Liquidation last start, a horse who ran fifth to Idyllic Prince at weight for age in October last year.

While the 1400m seems the big query with Werd stepping out at Group 3 level, Gangemi Racing could not be happier with their charge going into the big race. "He will be in front for a long way" added Chris.

Werd is currently $10 in pre-post markets.