Adam Durrant fired the first salvo in the trainers’ premiership on Saturday, but challengers Grant and Alana Williams hit back late in the meeting.
Durrant, out to claim his seventh title, launched a winning start to the Belmont program when Kelly’s Callisto upset hot favourite Special Reward.
Both gallopers went stride for stride from the top of the straight, but it was Kelly’s Callisto who exacted revenge after running second to Special Reward when they clashed two weeks earlier.
The Williams combination kept within striking distance of Durrant after Tellem We’re Comin stormed home in the last race with a powerful sprint.
The Blackfriars three-year-old hasn’t missed a step since resuming from his WA Derby campaign in the autumn and is undefeated from his two starts.
With eight meetings remaining before the 2017-2018 season draws to a close, Durrant, with 62 metropolitan wins, holds a two win advantage.
TRAINER
| Adam Durrant | 61 |
| Grant & Alana Williams | 60 |
| Simon Miller | 40.5 |
| Neville Parnham | 36 |
| Lindsey Smith | 31 |
JOCKEY
| William Pike | 116 |
| Chris Parnham | 45 |
| Jarrad Noske | 36 |
| Tayla Stone | 30 |
| Pat Carbery | 29 |
APPRENTICE
| Tayla Stone | 30 |
| Brodie Kirby | 13 |
| Fred Kersley | 11 |
| Clint Johnston-Porter | 09 |
| Andrew Castle | 08 |