Dusty Sees Red In Vic Peters Finale

RODNEY Metselaar is hoping the coveted rails alley is enough to see his star youngster Tap Out Dusty through in Saturday night's Vic Peters Classic Final (520m) at Wentworth Park and cement the 49 year old Londonderry trainer a maiden Group 1 victory.

Progressing through to the $75,000 to-the-winner decider on the strength of a close-up third to Zipping Tayla in a rough and tumble heat at the weekend, the son of Barcia Bale and Indigo Gem has been installed a $3.40 equal favourite with the Seona Thompson-trained Deliver for Saturday night's age-restricted feature, first staged way back in 1951.

And boasting four wins from as many attempts when sporting the red rug in an 11 start career that has so far netted seven explosive victories, punters continue to rally around the brindle flyer, with Metselaar telling the Recorder earlier this week he couldn't be happier with his prodigious talent leading into the ‘big dance' this Saturday night.

"I couldn't be happier with him, he's spot on – it's totally up to him now," declared an excited and partly nervous Metselaar on Wednesday.

"I had him checked over yesterday and there isn't a sore spot on him – he's perfectly boxed but he can be very hit and miss at the start so we'll know our fate soon after box rise – if he does happen to step cleanly though I think he has the speed to lead, he's a dog with serious ability."

Tasting success with Tap Out Dusty's older half-brother Tap Out Axe in the 2015 Soldiers Saddle Final at Bathurst, Metselaar struggles to put into words what it would mean to win at Group 1 level, and without getting ahead of himself, admits it's been a rather anxious week at his Londonderry base.

"Trainers in this area have been enjoying some success recently so hopefully that can continue on Saturday night," said Metselaar, referencing the victory of Jodie Lagogiane's Mystic Riot in the Million Dollar Chase, and Frank Hurst's success last week with Good Odds Harada in the Maitland Future Stars.

"I've played the race over quite a few times in my head and I'm definitely more excited than nervous – to win a Group 1 has been something I've dreamt of for as long as I can remember and the closest we've come so far is Tap Out Rose making a Paws Of Thunder Final.

"It really would be a dream come true with all the prestige that comes with it and to be truthful I haven't even given the money a thought."

With all the attributes of a serious sprinter in the making, Metselaar explains his exceptionally talented youngster's risky box manners aren't anything new, an issue that has plagued the November '16 whelp right from break-in.

"I know this might sound silly to some people but I get an idea how he's going to begin when I put him in the boxes. There's occasions he goes right in with no dramas but there's other times he gives you a feeling his mind isn't where it needs to be and when that happens I know we are in trouble," explained Metselaar.

"I've done a lot of box work with him but it's a trait that's with the whole litter, Shayne Stiff has a few of them as well and he says the same thing about his, I'm just hoping with more racing and maturity he sorts himself out because the dog has a real future if he can put it all together."

A Group 1 victory this Saturday night would certainly be a case of the stars aligning for Metselaar, landing the plumb rails alley for the $75,000 to-the-winner event without having to lift a finger.

"I was the last pick and it was the only box left," said Metselaar, almost with a chuckle.

"There's some really good dogs in the race and I'm just hoping my bloke does everything right and gives himself a chance. We'll know our chances after about five yards but we are there, we have the box, so we are in with a chance. As I said before, it's all up to him now!"