The last time Sydney hosted the National Championships, in 2015, ‘Team Dailly’ claimed the Sprint Grand Final with the great Fernando Bale.
It’s fair to say rapidly improving 2022 Group 1 National Sprint finalist Dusty Bourbski is no Fernando Bale, but trainer Tom Dailly is optimistic lightning could strike twice when the Nationals return to Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
Dusty Bourbski (Box 2) occupies the fourth line of TAB’s market at $7, drawn between local favourites Simply Limelight (Box 1) and Good Odds Cash (Box 3), which head betting at $2.80 and $4.60, respectively.
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A son of The Meadows 525m record holder Allen Deed and 2015 G1 Bold Trease winner Bourbski Fever, both of which were also trained by the Dailly kennel, Dusty Bourbski has elevated to another level in recent outings.
He was only beaten one length by superstar Wow She’s Fast when runner-up in the G1 Maturity Classic, before winning heat (29.38sec) and final (29.24sec) of the Victorian National Sprint series at Sandown Park in fast time.
“I always knew he could run. I remember saying to Ross Davidson (part-owner/breeder) when he was pre-training that he’s a good dog, this dog,” Tom Dailly said.
“It took him a little while to get used to the rhythm of racing but he’s really hitting his straps now.”
Winner of 12 of his 27 starts, Dusty Bourbski trialled in a fast 29.70sec at Wentworth Park last weekend in preparation for Saturday’s $75,000 to-the-winner National Sprint Championship (Race 8 at 8.32pm).
He will exit Box 2 for the third straight time, from where he boasts an imposing four from six record, despite a tendency to race off the rails.
“He wants the middle of the track, but he gets out quite well and gets to where he wants to be,” said Dailly.
“He definitely wants to get off, so it will depend on the first few strides and how he gets out, with the different boxes up there, how much of the track he uses and what’s coming down on him.
“If he gets a bit of room in the first 20 metres, he’s a good chance.”
WATCH: DUSTY BOURBSKI (B2) continued his career best run of form when winning the Victorian National Sprint Final at Sandown Park on August 11, defeating PHOTO MAN (B3) in a fast 29.24sec.
The Daillys also have a National Distance finalist in Gypsy Wyong, with the four-time G1 winner qualifying as the ‘Wildcard’ after finishing fifth to Moraine Suzie in the Victorian Distance final.
Gypsy Wyong is already a G1 winner at Wentworth Park, claiming an upset victory in the Association Cup in April as a $16 outsider, and she’s again at double figures, with TAB marking her at $15 from Box 3.
“She’s been around Wentworth Park a few times, so I kept her home and trialled her over 600m at The Meadows and she ran 34.40sec in a howling gale,” Dailly explained.
“She’s been getting out a bit ordinary, so I’ve kept her fresh to try and get her up near the lead in this race and she’s jumping out of her skin.”
Dusty Bourbski will represent Victoria in Saturday night’s National Sprint Championship in Sydney.
