Werd gets nosed out in the Belmont Sprint

Werd stepped up to Group III company on Saturday in the most convincing fashion, leading them up, setting a furious pace and egaging in a dog fight to the line with two of WA's best black type performers.

As expected, Staples fired Max to the front and he charged for his life, getting keener as both Ken's Double and Escadaire took turns in sitting outside him. By mid race he had settled nicely but at a very high speed.

When challenged into the straight, Werd left them standing with his customary turn of foot and with 50m to go, looked like he might just pull off an upset of giant proportions. It took a dream rails run by multiple Group winner Grand Nirvana, and the run of the race by former Karrakatta winner Roman Time, to nail him on the line by a long head and a long neck.

There wasnt a disappointed face in the mounting yard after that effort.

Werd has done us proud this campaign with nine runs for four wins and four placings, including a third at Group III level.

He will now have a short spell at Heytesbury while Gangemi Racing contemplate his next targets, which may include similar black type sprints over the Spring Carnival.