Shaping as a match race between the best of the boys and a gloried girl, the Listed $125,000 Belmont Classic (2200m) delivered a pulsating duel between Westbound and Ladies Pro with the latter gaining a narrow edge in the dying strides.

Throughout the week, the market struggled to separate the pair, but punters piled into Ladies Pro on raceday, making her the $1.55 favourite over Westbound at $2.60.

Their dispute was on from the get-go with Clint Johnston-Porter aboard Westbound, who drew barrier one, shouldering underneath Ladies Pro after 400m to ensure clear running and not be trapped behind longshot pacesetter Royal Guardian ($101).

Initially resisting the move, William Pike allowed Westbound away from the inside and instead trailed his main danger with Ladies Pro.

A pedestrian tempo developed over the following 500m before a wild flurry emerged from Savienne ($91), who blistered around the field from last to lead within 100m.

This increased the overall pace but by the 600m, Savienne was spent and collared by Pony Up ($19) with both Westbound and Ladies Pro waiting in the wings.

With 400m to travel, Westbound collared Pony Up to take the front but in turn, Ladies Pro covered his move and was soon smothering the bigger boy.

At the 200m, Ladies Pro drew level with Westbound, though the gelding fought tigerishly to parry the filly’s momentum.

For the final furlong, barely a breath separated the two but despite Westbound’s competitive spirit, Ladies Pro put her head down to salute by a short neck with eight and a half lengths back to the rest.

It’s that willing attitude that Pike said set her apart.

“It was a good, fun tactical race. Obviously, I came out on top and it’s always more enjoyable that way,” Pike said.

“But just the nature of this horse, she allows you to adapt in the run, which is not that easy to do.

“We were stop-start and then all of a sudden, the pace was injected. Every time you ask a question of her, she’s, ‘yep I can do that’.”

The idiom of choice between battles and wars sprung to mind with Pike sacrificing an early position that might have merely been a pyrrhic victory had he not submitted.

“It was a nice little match race with tactics galore,” he said.

“CJ poked up a bit early and almost looked like he was going to lead for a stride, and then he reverse parked and popped off (the inside),

“At first, I tried to contest it, but it’s not in her nature to be wanting to get in a battle so early.

“It took me a little bit to wake up to myself but eventually I realised it was the horse I wanted to follow, so I came back in behind him and followed him and then just backed ourselves in to sprint past him in the straight.”

Pike credited the conditioning of the runner-up for such a stern challenge.

“I poked my head in front quite easily but then we did have to grind it out,” he said.

“The cerise-and-white (Peters Investments silks) never go away – they’re always up for a challenge – and it was nice to get over them this time.”

Despite scoring over the extended journey, the daughter of D’argento may be better served over shorter distances next campaign while Westbound looms as a budding stayer.

“I think she got today’s distance because she’s willing and relaxes so well but I think that sprint can be utilised in other places,” Pike said.