Belmont’s opening meeting of the season looked a promising day on paper for Lark Hill trainer Darren McAuliffe and that’s how it transpired when he posted a training double.
McAuliffe got off to a flyer when Rebel King exploded to an effortless victory in the first, cruising to the line untouched to win by four lengths in a slick 57.81sec.
The son of Universal Ruler was all the rage with punters after posting an astonishing 13 length trial win over 400m at Lark Hill on April 22.
The $1.80 favourite was beaten out of the gates but quickly mustered speed to settle in third position behind Our Memory Girl and First Amongst Equals.
Once jockey William Pike got serious and cruised past the leaders inside the final 150m the race was all but over as the gelding sprinted clear with a blistering turn-of-foot.
“There were a few knockers but he would have silenced them with that performance,” said McAuliffe.
“He is the fastest horse to come through my stable and the world is his oyster as far as I’m concerned.”
Fuchsia Bandana completed the double and gave Pike the third leg of a treble with victory in the Perth Racing Members Handicap (1300m).
The Trade Fair filly carried 2.5kg on her previous start for stepping out against older horses in the 72 plus benchmark.
She is building an imposing strike rate with six wins, two seconds and one third from her ten lifetime appearances.
“She is racing well and going through her classes but I thought she would have won easier than that to be truthful,” said McAuliffe.
“She might not be a horse that backs up.
“There is a mile race in two weeks but I will wait and see.”