Tap Out Scarlet seeking to secure Peter Mosman upset
TAP Out Scarlet may be one of the outsiders in Saturday night's Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic (520m) at Wentworth Park, but just making the final is a dream come true for her trainer Rodney Metselaar.
Rated a $26 chance with Sportsbet, Tap Out Scarlet qualified for the $75,000 to the winner feature when running second in her semi-final behind Zambora Idol.
After spearing the lids from box two, the black bitch led right to the finish, going down three quarters of a length in 30.16.
Metselaar, who is based at Londonderry, said he was very happy with semi performance.
“I was rapt with her semi-final run,” Metselaar told Australian Racing Greyhound.
“She was the outsider of the field and to be honest I thought she would struggle to get through.
“To her credit she came out well and she gave it everything she had.
“She is only just on 25 kilograms wringing wet but she makes up for it by trying her little heart out.”
Tap Out Scarlet moves into box five for the final, with Metselaar conceding she faces a tough task.
“She is the outsider of the field and we know reaslitically she probably can't win this week, especially from box five.
“If she can time the start and get out in front she might be able to pinch a break and hang on for a placing.
“She used to come out running but the last couple of months she has started scratching at the boxes and missing the start.
“If she times it well this week she does have a lot of pace when she hits the ground.
“She gives it her all, but the last 50m she is probably going to struggle against this company.”
Metselaar has four greyhounds in work and works full time for Austral Bricks, but says making a prestigious final like the Peter Mosman makes the long days worthwhile.
“I get up at 6am in the mornings to do the dogs and my partner Donna does them in the afternoons while I am at work.
“I get home about 11pm at night and then I go to bed and have to do it all again the next day.
“Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it, but when you get the in a race like this it makes it all worthwhile.
“We are over the moon to be in the race and I keep going through the race in my head – it's the most exciting thing.
“We are the outsiders but you have to dare to dream.
“If she could run a place that would be like winning to us.”
The current favourite to win the Peter Mosman Classic is Ritza Lenny who is an even money chance after drawing the prized cherry box.
Next best is the Bruce and Julie Fletcher-prepared El Magnifico (box eight) which has recorded best of night figures in his heat (29.59) and semi-final (29.72).
The Group 1 Peter Mosman is race eight on the card at Wentworth Park on Saturday night and is set to jump at 9:57pm.
Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic – market
Box 1 – Ritza Lenny – $2
Box 2 – Buck Forty – $5.50
Box 3 – Shima Song – $12
Box 4 – Invictus Rapid – $8
Box 5 – Tap Out Scarlet – $26
Box 6 – Runway Idole – $51
Box 7 – Zambora Idol – $31
Box 8 – El Magnifico – $3 with Sportsbet
1st Res – Unlawful Entry – $6.50
2nd Res – Nangar Thunder – $18