Bunbury trainer Michael Lane is confident Rusty Dreams can live up to market expectations and land a maiden feature win in the Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m) on Saturday.
The promising daughter of Universal Ruler is on a mission to exact revenge and go one better after a close second to Vast Art in the Listed Raconteur Stakes (1400m) two weeks ago.
Rusty Dreams had the lead inside the final 100m in the Raconteur Stakes until Vast Art, trained by Darren McAuliffe, cut down the margin late to continue his hot form.
Punters share the same sentiment as Michael Lane and believe Rusty Dreams can turn the tables on Vast Art in the Belmont Guineas, elevating her to favouritism.
Rusty Dream is currently rated a $3.30 chance with Ladbrokes.com.au, a firmer after she opened at $3.60.
Vast Art, who was installed Ladbrokes favourite, has eased from $3.40 to $3.70. Upper Limits is $4.
Rusty Dreams has drawn barrier 10 in the Belmont Guineas with Vast Art on his outside in 11.
“She’ll have to settle back a bit further back from the draw,” Lane told The Races WA.
“It is what is it and we can’t afford to kick her out because she’ll probably over race.
“We haven’t done much with her and she’s fine for Saturday.”
Lane believes Rusty Dreams has the capacity to turn the tables on Vast Art.
“I think so, I can’t see why not,” Lane said.
“If we reversed the runs we would have beaten him.
“It will go back too, whether he follows us or we follow him I’m not quite sure.
“Unless they press the button and go forward, I know we won’t be doing that on our filly.”
Parnham can join his two elder brothers on the Belmont Guineas riding honour roll.
Steven Parnham guided Kay Cee in 2020 for his father, trainer-father, Neville Parnham.
Brad Parnham won on Variation three years previously.
Johnston-Porter won last year’s Belmont Guineas combining with Devoted.
Lane is out to claim his second victory after preparing Coppertito in 2004.
