Tap Out Rose has left hobby trainer Rodney Metselaar feeling “on top of the world” with her terrific recent form and he thinks she can score another win in a heat of Sunday’s Group 3 Canberra Mower Service Canberra Cup (530m).
The daughter of Cosmic Rumble and Sweet Fenoir (pictured, white rug) jumps from box two in the first of six heats aiming for a fourth win in her last seven starts.
Tap Out Rose has extended her record to nine wins and 12 minor placings with some super displays over the last two months, including reaching the NSW Sprint Championship decider and a 29.81 win at Wentworth Park two starts back.
She has never previously raced at Canberra but Metselaar is confident his greyhound can win here.
“Every time I’ve taken her somewhere new, she’s done pretty well,” Metselaar said.
“She can be hit-and-miss at the start but if she gets a clear run, she goes straight and finds the rail after the first turn.
“I’m rapt with how well she’s doing. She’s just got better and better over her career, slowly and surely. We’re on top of the world with her.”
Tap Out Rose looks to be drawn well here, having scored two wins and three minor placings from six previous starts from box two.
Her latest notable performance came last Saturday night at Wentworth Park when she was pushed wide at the first corner but fought back brilliantly to finish second behind the in-form Bessy Boo.
Tap Out Rose is one of four greyhounds currently in work for western Sydney-based Metselaar, who combines training with working for a bricklaying company.
The father-of-two has trained intermittently for about 20 years and dreams of eventually becoming a full-time mentor.
“It can feel like you have two jobs sometimes but I just have an affinity for greyhounds,” he said. “My partner dotes on them as well.
“I’ve never had loads of success but I’ve done enough to keep me happy. It’s a bit surreal at the moment with how well (Tap Out Rose is) going, but I’m definitely enjoying it.”
Anthony Azzopardi looks to have the best chances in heats four and five with Magic Earner and Uno Suzie.
Magic Earner (box four) qualified for the NSW National Distance Championship before having to be scratched due to an injury, while Uno Suzie was a brilliant winner of last week’s Group 2 Black Top.
The latter has the speed to win from box six and knows the track, having won here five times previously.
Brad Hill Billy, meanwhile, looks a strong winning chance in heat three after his brilliant performances in recent months, including one of the wins of the year at Unibet Gardens last week.
He has scored two wins from three previous starts jumping from box two and has run some scorching times recently.
The winner of each heat as well the two fastest second placed finishers qualify for the Group 3 Canberra Cup on Sunday week.
For Canberra Sunday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
