Dusty Road to make debut for Wynne at Wingatui
Former Cambridge galloper Dusty Road (NZ) (Shamexpress) has been enjoying his new surroundings in the South Island and is in great shape to make his debut for trainer Samantha Wynne at Wingatui on Tuesday.
Dusty Road won six races and more than $217,000 for owner-trainer Graeme Cameron in 44 starts, his best effort being a third placing in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) last year.
He won three starts back at Te Rapa and was close behind the in-form War Princess when fifth at Hastings when he last raced on September 12, but has since been sent south to join Wynne’s team at Ohoka, north of Christchurch and makes his debut for her in the Grand Casino Open Handicap (1400m) at Wingatui on Melbourne Cup day.
“The Camerons gave me a ring. I think it was suggested by a couple of owners to send him down for a change of scenery down south, and maybe to look for some wet tracks as well,” Wynne said.
“He’s settling in very well. We’re still figuring him out but he’s a pleasure to have around the stable. He’s been well handled and well loved, so we’re just trying to pick off where he left off.
“I’ve never met the Camerons, but hopefully they’re going to be at the races on Tuesday.”
Dusty Road faces a good field which includes the stakes-winning mare Loose Sally, racing for the first time since April, and last-start Wingatui winner Sir Sterling.
He faces a long 390km journey from Ohoka to Wingatui for his debut with Wynne but she says it’s worth it, especially with wet conditions expected.
“You’d like to think he’d be competitive, especially on the soft nature of the track, it’s kind of what we’re going down for,” she said.
“It’s a very strong field on paper, but he looks well placed. He’ll have to have a lot of luck go his way and it’s a big trip down there as well, so let’s hope he handles the tasks ahead of him.”
If all goes well, Dusty Road will be aimed at an open 1400m handicap on New Zealand Cup day at Riccarton, though he could start in the Gr.3 Stewards (1200m) if the track is heavy.
Apprentice Kendra Bakker will claim 2kg off Dusty Road’s carded 58.5kg impost at Wingatui. She also takes the ride on Dusty Road’s stablemate Timetoplaythegame as his regular rider Jack Taplin will be riding at Ellerslie on Tuesday.
Timetoplaythegame (NZ) (Proisir) is another transplanted North Islander. He’s won two of his three starts since landing with Wynne and seeks to add another in a Rating 75 1600m contest, though the noted on-speed runner will have to overcome the outside gate but one.
“It’s not a great draw, and we’re going to need a lot of luck,” Wynne said.
“However, he seemed to overcome that last start. He tends to pull his way to the front and it’s a long back straight at Wingatui so hopefully he’s in before the turn anyway.
“He’s well in with the weights also. He ticks enough boxes to get on the float down.”
A Rating 75 event during the New Zealand Cup week is the most likely landing place for Timetoplaythegame should he come through this race well.
Meanwhile, Wynne said the 2026 campaigns of Honor The Name (NZ) (Brazen Beau) and Shawshank (NZ) (El Roca), who have won seven races between them this year, are likely to wind up during New Zealand Cup week.
