Second Foxbridge Plate bid on Dusty’s program

Accomplished winter galloper Dusty Road (NZ) (Shamexpress) is making all the right moves ahead of a new campaign with sights already set on a stakes target.

The six-year-old has been a reliable performer for Cambridge trainer Graeme Cameron with multiple wins to his credit and third placings in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) and Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m).

Dusty Road emphasised his readiness to start afresh when he produced an encouraging performance to win his 1150m open heat at Tuesday’s Te Awamutu trials.

The six-year-old sat at the back of the main bunch before improving wide 500 metres from home and held a strong gallop for apprentice rider Sam McNab to score by a length.

“He came through it really well and was waiting for his breakfast this morning,” said Cameron, who races the son of Shamexpress with wife Jacky.

“I’ve nominated him for Te Aroha on Monday so it’s all go for that and Sam will ride him, I couldn’t get him off after the trial, he was dead keen on him so that’s good.

“He ran third in the Foxbridge last year so I’d like to think he can have another crack at that, fingers crossed everything will keep going well.”

Dusty Road hasn’t raced since last spring and following a slow build-up is ready for a return to action.

“He’s taken a while to come up this time around, I started in February and he’s had three trials now,” Cameron said.

“I tipped him out for quite a while and he did really well, it’s taken a bit to get his pot belly off and get him fit again.”

Dusty Road has been patiently handled through his career and rewarded connections with five wins and 18 top five finishes from 37 appearances.

“He gives us a 100 per cent every time, he’s very honest and I try and do my best to look after him and keep him happy,” Cameron said.

“He’s got a good home here on the farm and goes to Cambridge to gallop, he enjoys it around the cattle.”

Dusty Road was a private purchase from his late breeder Sir Patrick Hogan and has proved a fine investment with his stake earnings topping $190,000.

“He didn’t make K1 at the sales and Sir Patrick didn’t want any in K2, he was going to put him on Gavelhouse so I grabbed him before that,” Cameron said.

“He wanted $4000 so I said sweet and bought him and that was it, the horse has done us proud.”

Dusty Road is out of the Cape Blanco mare Valotia, a daughter of the Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (2000m) winner Singalong who was also runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m).

He is the only horse Cameron has in work but has a future prospect waiting in the wings.

“I’ve got a weanling filly who is a sister to Amazonia so that’s my next dream,” he said.

Cameron bred and part-owns the John Bell-trained Amazonia, a daughter of Swiss Ace who has won three races to date.