WESTERN EMPIRE RESUMES IN THE BELMONT SPRINT

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, May 13, 2026

The well performed, Grant and Alana Williams trained Western Empire will resume at Belmont in the Group 3 Belmont Sprint over 1400m on Saturday.

It was a case of ‘no cigar’ for the son of Iffraaj over the Summer Carnival at Ascot, but there was plenty to like about Western Empire’s runner-up finish in the Group 1 Railway Stakes over 1600, when finishing 0.75 lengths behind his stable companion Watch Me Rock … and his third place finish in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes over 1800m, when behind Cosmic Crusader and Watch Me Rock.

Western Empire is a veteran of thirty-five starts with his eleven wins coming over distances ranging from 1100m to 2400m, so the 1400m trip for the Belmont Sprint, which he has won over on three occasions, would appear to be a suitable starting point first-up this preparation and he has top jockey taking the ride, giving the eight-year-old his vote of confidence.

Western Empire has had two official trials in preparation for his return. He won both trails with Pike in the saddle.

Smooth Chino is the obvious danger to the Team Williams trained runner.

The four-year-old chestnut should be bursting with fitness as he goes into Saturday’s feature fourth up, after running out a comfortable winner of the Group 3 Northam Stakes over 1300m in his last start.

An overall record of seven wins from nine starts underlines Smooth Chino’s above average ability, although he still has to win above Listed level. An interesting statistic here is that Austin Galati, who rides the Indianna Weinert trained gelding on Saturday, has the perfect record on Smooth Chino, having partnered him to six wins from six rides.

The Steve Wolfe trained Rope Them In is also a genuine contender.

In both of Smooth Chino’s defeats, Rope Them In beat Sweet Chino home. He won the Group 3 Roma Cup keeping Smooth Chino back in second place by 0.27 lengths … and, while he only finished fifth in the $5 million Quokka (which was won by the all-conquering Jigsaw), he again had Smooth Chino, who finished seventh, behind him, this time by a 0.82 length margin.

Paul Harvey, who returned to the saddle on April 2 after a twenty-two month break from race riding, steps up to take the ride on Rope Them In.

Diamond Scene comes back a long way in distance from the 2400m he last took on in the Perth Cup (won by Apulia) will also be facing fresh after a five month layoff … and the same applies to Sentimental Hero who also contested the Perth Cup. These two runners could prove best of the rest.

The betting currently makes it a two horse race between Smooth Chino ($2) and Western Empire ($2.75). Rope Them In ($8) is the only other runner quoted in single figures.