Despite turning nine soon, Comfort Me continues to show the kind of durability and spirit most trainers dream of. With eight career victories, including a Group 3, and over $1.6 million in prizemoney, the veteran galloper is set for another crack at elite company in Saturday’s Group 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) at Belmont.

Trainer Rhys Radford isn’t expecting an easy path with the gelding drawn awkwardly in barrier 20, but he’s not doubting his stable star’s ability to rise to the challenge.

“He’s never taken a backward step throughout his whole life,” Radford said. “While he’s still happy to be out there and still going well, I can’t see why we wouldn’t keep pushing ahead.”

Comfort Me enters the Belmont Sprint off a solid third placing in the Northam Stakes, a marked improvement after two below-par efforts in the Roma Cup and The Joey.

“They might have gone a bit quick for him over those shorter trips,” Radford said. “He’s ticking all the boxes now and I couldn’t be happier with how he worked on Wednesday.”

Despite facing a classy field of 16 plus emergencies, Radford remains hopeful the horse’s professionalism and fitness will again shine through. Holly Watson will take the ride.

To follow Comfort Me’s run or place a bet on the Belmont Sprint, visit the top Australian betting sites.