The Listed Belmont Oaks (2000m) is Rusty Dreams’ next target, an exciting proposition after she swayed the opinion of trainer, Michael Lane.
Michael Lane had fears Rusty Dreams would not run out a strong mile in Saturday’s Listed Belmont Guineas, but that view was cast aside in breathtaking fashion.
Aided by a sublime rails-hugging ride from Chris Parnham, Rusty Dreams underlined her promise with a spectacular last to first victory at Belmont.
After winning on debut at Northam last year, Rusty Dreams has gone ahead in leaps and bounds and has finished no further back than third in seven starts.
After early doubts, Lane said Rusty Dreams is ready to take on the challenge of winning a feature race double in next fortnight’s Listed Belmont Oaks.
“We’ve gotta go to the Oaks now, we’ll go to 2000m,” Lane said on Tabradio.
“Chris (Parnham) was happy with the way she switched off.
“I was happy she switched off and was bowling along doing her own thing.
“It was hard to think she could win from where she was because she’s always up on the pace.
“But a good horse is a good horse.
“She’ll go in the Oaks against her own sex, you’re only three once.
“I’ll keep her in work for at least the next week and see how she goes.
“She seems to have pulled up a treat and at this stage she’ll definitely be headed to the Oaks.”
In a short amount of time, Rusty Dreams, a home-bred, has notched up five wins, one second and a third for $374,820 in stakes and bonuses.
After defying his early assessment, Lane says Rusty Dreams is a filly showing all the signs of having a bright future ahead of her.
“She’s a filly we bred ourselves,” Lane said.
“To be honest she wasn’t much to look at.
“Early on she was a handful, but she’s good now.
“I trained the mother and she didn’t show much at all.
“I was against breeding from her to be honest.
“But the other couple of owners were keen to get a couple of foals out of her.
“I wasn’t a big fan of Rusty Dreams, but she’s definitely proved me wrong.”
