Spider Runs Away with Belmont Sprint

Following a disappointing Melbourne sojourn during the Spring, Perth galloper The Velvet King (Universal Ruler-Doubleblack Velvet, by Show A Heart) has bounced back to winning form at Belmont. Winning first up over 1400m – never an easy assignment in any grade – 5YO gelding The Velvet King, known as Spider in his stable, claimed the weight-for-age Gr3 Belmont Sprint when piloted by his old partner Mitchell Pateman who celebrated with a demonstrative wave to the crowd whilst standing high in the irons. According to thewest.com.au, an emotional Pateman stated, “This horse means the world to me. I’ve been associated with him for a long time. There were doubts if he’d ever regain his best form, but he’s delivered big time today!” The victory also brought considerable joy to trainer Darren McAuliffe who revealed an amazing story about The Velvet King: “I was on the scene at his birth in a paddock near the middle of a day with the temperature around 40 degrees. His dam Doubleblack Velvet foaled him against an electric fence. I dragged him clear of the electric current and sat in the heat with him for hours, making sure he was okay.” McAuliffe recalled, “He was all legs and I called him Spider, a nick-name that stuck and he always been the stable favourite in my eyes.” The rising 6YO will now be aimed at June’s Hyperion Stakes (1600m) and Strickland Stakes (2000m) – each worth $200,000.