The September 20 meeting at Belmont Park produced a day full of storylines, with trainer Adam Durrant’s stable delivering a remarkable string of victories and an electrifying performance from rising star Cosmic Crusader setting the racing scene alight. From eye-catching first-up wins to a demolition job in the TABtouch Stakes, punters and racing enthusiasts alike were treated to a feast of high-quality performances.

Playin’it Sweet Sparks the Day

The opening event over 1000m set the tone for what would become an unforgettable day. Despite settling in the back half of the field, Playin’it Sweet ($6.50 TABtouch) displayed a sharp turn of foot to storm home first-up for trainer Adam Durrant.

Ridden confidently by Lucy Fiore, the daughter of Playing God tracked the heavily backed favourite Snitzalatte ($1.80) into the bend before angling between runners at the 200m. Her more fancied stablemate drifted wide, but it was Playin’it Sweet who showed the grit and acceleration to surge ahead, defeating her rival by half a length. With the run expected to bring her forward, the promising mare looks poised to improve as she steps up in distance over the coming weeks.

Black Ora Delivers Durrant a Double

Race two saw another stable representative shine, as Black Ora ($3.50) proved that coming from the rear over 1000m posed no issue. William Pike, who had the ride, produced a masterful performance, weaving through traffic in the straight before launching after Bonnie Lad ($8).

Despite being last on the turn, Pike’s timing was perfect as Black Ora gathered momentum, charging late to defeat the ex-Durrant-trained galloper by a head. This gave the in-form trainer an early double and hinted that the yard had their runners tuned to perfection.

Hymns Of Eladdair Adds to the Script

By the third race, the sense of déjà vu was palpable. Hymns Of Eladdair ($5), another Durrant-trained galloper, settled well back before finding clear air in the straight. Again, Fiore’s patience was rewarded as she unleashed the five-year-old, who sprinted powerfully to run down the ever-consistent Go Go Grommet ($4), winning by a narrow half-neck.

It was another example of Durrant’s knack for preparing his horses to peak when required, and another reminder of Fiore’s tactical brilliance in the saddle.

Kay Tee Why Shows Class

The fourth race brought yet another Durrant winner, with Pike guiding Kay Tee Why ($1.60f) to a polished victory. Unlike the earlier races, the four-year-old son of Nicconi was placed handier to the pace, settling one-out and one-back.

When the field straightened, Pike sent Kay Tee Why into top gear, sweeping past Ginnivan ($6.50) at the 150m before stretching out to win by more than a length. The victory capped a perfect first half of the card for the Durrant stable, leaving punters shaking their heads at the dominance.

Cosmic Crusader’s Stunning Feature Win

The day’s feature event, the $100,000 TABtouch Stakes (1650m), did not include a Durrant runner—but it hardly mattered. The spotlight instead shifted to Cosmic Crusader ($1.28f), who produced one of the most dominant performances seen at Belmont in years.

From the outset, jockey Clint Johnston-Porter had the lightly raced five-year-old perfectly placed at the head of the field. Travelling sweetly, Cosmic Crusader had his rivals under pressure a full 600m from home. Turning for the run-in, Johnston-Porter merely gave the son of Maurice the slightest encouragement, and the response was devastating.

In a matter of strides, Cosmic Crusader put the race to bed, extending effortlessly to score by eight and a half lengths. Johnston-Porter hardly moved a muscle over the final furlong, underscoring just how far ahead the horse was of his opposition.

The emphatic win catapulted Cosmic Crusader to clear $3 favouritism for the prestigious Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on November 22, and racing circles are already buzzing about his potential.

Be Bardot and Decision Maker Step Up

Be Bardot ($3.60) kept the momentum of first-up winners going with a decisive victory in race six. Settling behind the leader, Pike angled the mare out around the home bend before powering away to claim a three-length win.

In race seven, Decision Maker ($13) provided another thrilling finish. Near the rear with only 400m to go, Brad Parnham timed his run to perfection, storming down the outside to nab Antique Star ($6.50) by a half-neck. Meanwhile, race favourite Shmoov Moova ($3.40) was trapped in traffic, a circumstance that prevented him from unleashing his full potential.

Eliteone Saves Best for Last

The final event of the day showcased Eliteone ($4.80), who was coming off a tough effort the previous week. Despite appearing beaten at the 100m, the five-year-old found another gear under Johnston-Porter, flying late to reel in Immortal Bliss ($2.70f) and King Adviso ($5.50) in the shadows of the post. It was a performance that left the crowd gasping and proved the horse’s toughness and tenacity.

Highlight of the Day

Without question, the performance of Cosmic Crusader in the TABtouch Stakes was the standout. The son of Maurice not only destroyed his opposition but did so with a level of authority rarely seen. Bob Peters has campaigned a long list of star gallopers over the years, but this runner showed all the hallmarks of being among the very best.

Horse to Follow

While the day was full of attention-grabbing runs, one to keep an eye on is Romantic Ruler from race seven. Though most eyes were fixed on Shmoov Moova’s unlucky passage, Romantic Ruler also struggled for clear running before hitting the line strongly. He could be a genuine value chance at odds next time he steps out.