Western Empire will understandably have the lion’s share of attention when he attempts a winter hat-trick in the Group 3 $200,000 Strickland Stakes (2000m) at Belmont on Saturday, however, punters believe one horse can beat him.

Hoba West ($4.20) is the only other runner under double-figure odds behind the hot $1.50 favourite courtesy of a stunning run of form since joining trainer Summer Dickson.

The six-year-old has enjoyed four wins from 10 starts under Dickson’s care and has thrived under the conditioner’s close attention.

“There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes. They’re treated like individuals and not just numbers with personalised diet and work regimes,” Dickson said.

“Hoba West in particular, he had trouble with his feet. Steve Routledge, my farrier, is the best anywhere and has been vital.”

Responsible for a boutique but growing team of horses, Dickson travels half an hour each day for beach training.

“My horses go to the beach every day, rain, hail or shine, even when we had the wet weather warnings,” she said.

“Horses are so brave and with repetition, they become trusting.

“Ninety per cent of the horses I’ve got, I’ve broken in myself. I always think the right way is the long way.

“Hoba West, he got led at the beach for weeks before he was ready to be ridden.”

Despite experiencing those victories, Hoba West’s finest hours have been in defeat.

The bay ran a courageous front-running second in the Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m) last December behind subsequent Perth Cup victor Apulia and was chinned by Western Empire in the Hyperion Stakes (1600m) a fortnight ago.

“I’ve always thought he would go best at this level over 2000m,” Dickson said.

“He’s a free-bowling animal and at this level, he can’t sprint good enough over the shorter distances. I was surprised how well he did sprint over a mile (in the Hyperion Stakes).

“He’s tough and he can maintain that pace for a long time.”

Despite Saturday’s reignited rivalry between Western Empire and Hoba West, Dickson respects her adversary.

“Western Empire, people go to the races just to watch him,” she said.

“To have your horse compete against him and almost beat him, it was an incredible feeling.

“That’s the whole reason we do it for.”

Emerging jockey Austin Galati has struck up a successful association with the Epaulette gelding in a display of faith from the trainer.

“Austin helps me a lot. We’re good friends and he knows my horses really well,” Dickson said.

“It’s a lot more fulfilling because we get along so well.

“He’s a bit of an underdog and when I was first starting, I needed someone to believe in me to succeed, and I believe in him.”