Talented galloper Dusty Road continued to make his claim for Group-level targets with back-to-back successes at Te Rapa on Saturday in the Fulton Hogan 1200.
His trainer Graeme Cameron had initially planned on starting the gelding in the open mile contest at the meeting, but with a lack of entries, the two races were combined which had the gelding placed in the market at $5.70 behind well-performed sprinters Spencer ($3.80) and Caitlyns Wish ($5).
The step-back in distance proved to be no bother to the son of Shamexpress, settling comfortably midfield under Liam Kauri as customary pacemaker Johny Johny ramped up the tempo nearing the 800 metres. Turning for home, Dusty Road led the charge to chase down Johny Johny and swept to the lead at the 200 metres, eventually kicking clear of a game Turn The Ace at the finish to score by a long head.
Cambridge-based Cameron was full of praise for his charge, as well as the efforts of Kauri who was on board in Dusty Road’s last-start winning effort at the course.
“It was a brilliant run and a brilliant ride,” Cameron said.
“Mike Dillon was ringing me for a while and told me about Liam, and said he was really good. We spoke about the problems that he had earlier on and why he is still an apprentice at 25, so I was very keen to have him on this horse.
“I’ve given him a go and look what’s happened, it’s great.
“I was going for the mile but when they pulled the pin on that, we went for the 1200 because there wasn’t too much around and the run wouldn’t hurt him. It turned out that he won it, so that’s a real buzz.”
Cameron had eyed the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) in early September as a possible target for Dusty Road, but now has also got the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) in his sights for the five-year-old.
“I think I’d have to look at the Foxbridge Plate now back here in three weeks’ time, we like to give him a little break in the paddock then bring him back up again,” he said.
Bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, Cameron purchased Dusty Road as a yearling and he has earned $143,515 with five wins in 22 starts.
“I’ve had him since he was a yearling, he was a good looker so I decided to purchase him from Patrick Hogan and I guess I’m living Patrick’s dream with a horse like this,” he said.
"He’s just so good to handle and be around, he’s a ripper.”