New Zealand
Familiar road ahead for talented gelding at Te Rapa
Dusty Road often finds another gear around Te Rapa and his trainer Graeme Cameron is hoping that trend can continue in Saturday’s Captain Compost Landscape Supplies (1400m).
The consistent son of Shamexpress won twice at the Waikato venue through the winter period last year, before placing in a Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m) during the spring carnival. On resuming this campaign, he was beaten less than a half-length when fourth behind Super Photon at Te Rapa, before filling the same position in Sterling Express' race at Ellerslie last time out.
In the latter, Dusty Road covered more ground than any other runner being wide throughout, and Cameron has designs on a more economical trip from barrier six on Saturday.
"He's had a bit of bad luck in the last two races," he said. "Hopefully going back to his favourite track this weekend, with a bit of rain around, his luck can change.
"I just hope he can stay out of trouble. I don't want to be running three-wide again so hopefully he can have a nice trip and see how he goes from there."
The five-year-old has shown his versatility performing on all surfaces up to a mile, but Cameron plans to remain around his sweet spot if possible this preparation, that being 1400m on a rain-affected surface.
"At the moment, we'll stick to those 1400m races, he seems to be going alright so we'll keep chipping away," he said.
"I don't think it matters too much whether he's going right-handed or left-handed, he's run well at Ellerslie the other day and I think it's becoming one of his favourite tracks as well."
Continuing his association with three-kilogram claiming apprentice Liam Kauri, Dusty Road will carry 57kg, placing him just below Wexford runners Lux Libertas and Karman Line in the weight scale.
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