The ever-conquering warrior of Western Australian racing Western Empire will be out to crack historical ground when he attempts a three-peat of Belmont winter sprint features in the Group 3 $200,000 Swan Draught Strickland Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.

Late surges in both the Belmont Sprint (1400m) and Hyperion Stakes (1600m) have rewarded the nearly nine-year-old with more Group glories over the last month and the final quest of his winter trilogy will be decided this weekend.

However, the Strickland Stakes has proved the stumbling block of the three events over the last two years, being a beaten favourite in both 2024 and 2025.

In 2024, Western Empire stole victory in the sprint but came up narrowly short in both the Hyperion and Strickland as a roaring $1.50 and $1.35 elect respectively.

Twelve months on, connections did not target the sprint and instead entered the Hyperion first-up, turning the tables on Magnificent Andy from the previous year.

But again, as a $2 fancy, he found the final test of the Strickland too much and he was safely accounted for by Admiration Express in heavy conditions.

Many felt he may struggle with affected going underfoot but he handled the Soft6 track of a fortnight ago with aplomb.

The surface was rated a Soft5 as of Thursday afternoon, however, Perth is expecting strong downpours in the lead-up to the clash.

The extended journey of 2000m cannot truly be considered the limiting factor as Western Empire stretched out to 2400m when taking the WATC Derby in 2021, though the two Stricklands are the only times he has been out to such a trip since.

He’s once more a hot $1.55 favourite to score this Saturday and the only horse within shouting distance in the betting is $3.90 chance Hoba West.

The six-year-old ascended massively last preparation, going from a Class 1 success to a Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m) runner-up effort within seven starts.

Unthreatening in the Belmont Sprint, he gave a bold bid for glory in the Hyperion before being gathered up by Western Empire and William Pike right on the post.

Although drawn worse, he’s sure to go forward and attempt similar tactics to undo his chief rival.

Diamond Scene ($12), In Good Order ($14) and Ginger Baker ($16) have all be safely accounted for in those lead-up races, while 2024 victor Let’s Galahvant ($23) returns to recapture his crown after not participating last year.

Earlier, the first event on the programme shapes as being another popular duel between recent winners Bassett Hound ($2.10f) and Long Service Leaf ($2.30).

Both horses have won their last two starts, with Bassett Hound steaming to a four-length triumph over 1100m before showing his versatility when dropping to 1000m and overcoming a chequered passage to salute two weeks ago.

Long Service Leaf’s wins have come at 1000m but the last – on the same day as Bassett Hound – was particularly taking, storming from the back to score effortlessly.

+ Twenty-year-old rising apprentice jockey Luke Cartwright possesses live prospects of claiming a maiden Group 1 when he partners Regal Award ($7) in the $3 million Ladbrokes Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The youngster has rapidly become a sought-after lightweight hoop in big races, already going close in Group 1s with Gallant Son (Newmarket Handicap and Oakleigh Plate) and Extragalactic (Goodwood).

In readiness for this week’s frighteningly shallow 49.5kg weight he must make, Cartwright said he feels privileged rather than daunted by the challenge.

“It’s never easy getting a Group 1 ride as an apprentice, let alone being booked for top chances and going close in them, so it’s not lost on me how fortunate I am,” Cartwright told Betsy.

“I definitely look at it as a privilege.

“I wouldn’t say I see myself up there with the big dogs (top jockeys), that hasn’t sunk in yet and I still feel like I’ve got to prove myself.

“It’s going to take time to earn a place as a household name but I’m going to keep doing the best I can and hope that one day I can be viewed as that go-to jockey for top lightweight rides in big G1 races.

“I’m very lucky that my weight is light because I am still young, albeit 49.5kg isn’t a walk in the park.

“The ideal weight I walk around at the moment is between 52.5kg and 53kg but when I really lock in and watch what I eat, I can get down to 51.5kg quite comfortably.

“Anything lower than that I’ve got to diet even harder.

“I’ve cut back to just breakfast and lunch this week and am sticking to very low-calorie meals.”

Still in the infancy of his jockey tenure with less than 150 wins to his name, Cartwright draws experience from former hoop and now coach and mentor James Winks.

Alongside Winks, he receives guidance from fellow hoops like brother Matt Cartwright and revered seniors such as Luke Nolen, Ben Melham and Craig Williams.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to ride at most of the carnivals this season,” he said.

“My second ride in a G1 was in the Oakleigh Plate and I honestly was nervous because Peter Moody has been a massive supporter of mine and I wanted to go out and do well for him because he’s done a lot for my career so far.

“In the Newmarket, the horse was a big price, and I went out there with the attitude of ‘go out, do your best and see what happens’ and that’s when I thought I rode freely and very well.

“That worked for me, and I’ve tried to take that approach into my other rides in big races in the Sydney and Adelaide carnivals.

“I feel like I was able to ride the horses to run well in the races and didn’t let the pressure get to me.

“If I do feel some nerves, I’ve just tried to tell myself to embrace them.”

Like Cartwright, his mount Regal Award is the least experienced in the field and is the up-and-comer of the lineup.

The Phillip Stokes-trained three-year-old shot into calculations when winning the Group 3 Fred Best (1400m) at Eagle Farm by a length a fortnight ago.

“It’s a good opportunity to go up and ride at the Queensland carnival, let alone be on the second favourite in one of the best handicap races in Australia,” Cartwright said.

“I really think the horse can run a bold race.

“I know the horse’s ability is there.

“I’ve just got to get the first half of the race right and I think he can take care of the rest.”

Headley Grange, winner of the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at the same meeting as the Fred Best, leads the market at $5.50.

Fangirl ($6.50), a four-time Group 1 champion who was third in the Kingsford Smith, is on the next line.

Sixties ($8) still sweats on a start as the first emergency despite Jamie Melham choosing to ride him in preference to Another Wil ($13), who is already guaranteed a run.