Victory lifts stable spirits

3 November 2015

Gustavo looks set to make his mark in stronger company this preparation after opening a new campaign in fine style at Tauranga.

Victory in the Mills Reef Winery & Restaurant 1300 also helped trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman move on from what has been a wretched week that saw the withdrawal due to a colic attack of their Gr.1 Melbourne Cup contender Mongolian Khan.

Gustavo was making his first appearance since May and a recent trial placing was enough to have punters in his corner and he started a short-priced favourite.

“It’s a good way to kick off the day and he’s a much bigger and stronger horse this time in,” Forsman said. “Being a five-year-old by Savabeel he has now really furnished.”

Gustavo sat on the leader’s quarters to the turn and he was able to get the better of a brave Jubilate in the closing stages.

“It was a good effort because they walked early and sprinted home – to run down a good horse like Jubilate was always going to be tough,” Forsman said.

Gustavo has now won six of his 16 starts and rider Matt Cameron was confident the gelding would be competitive at a much higher level this campaign.

“He seems a lot stronger and he’s still behind in his coat so there’s a lot of improvement to come,” he said.

Jubilate had to give the winner two kilos so his resuming effort was sound while Silverdale ran third and had every chance. – NZ Racing Desk.

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