Trainers eye Group One for Gustavo
9 March 2015
The Gr.1 Easter Handicap looms as a possible target for the progressive four-year-old Gustavo, who struck for the fourth time in his brief career at Ellerslie on Saturday.
The hot training duo of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman have the Manco-sponsored mile in mind for the gelding following his all the way victory in the New Zealand Herald 1400.
“He’s a chance – he’s by Savabeel and they can do anything,” Baker said. “He’s got a fair bit of class this guy.”
Gustavo headed straight to the lead under jockey Craig Grylls from a wide alley and showed no signs of buckling under pressure in the straight.
“That’s just what we wanted to do – he drew wide and Craig had to take the initiative,” Baker said.
“The horse dropped down in weight to the minimum in a Rating 85 and it was a good effort.”
Gustavo is raced his breeder Scott Richardson, who also savoured Group Three success with stablemate Diademe in Wednesday’s Westbury Classic.
“He’s also got Burbero in the Canberra Cup on Sunday so hopefully he can make it three,” said Baker, whose son Bjorn prepares Burbero.
Gustavo, who had placed in each of his previous five starts, rallied strongly in the closing 50 metres to hold out the late run of Miss Foxwood with the topweight To Be Sure taking third in a competitive line up.
“Murray and Andrew have been good to me and we’ve had quite a bit of success,” Grylls said. “It’s great to get another one for them.” – NZ Racing Desk.
Recent News
14 July 2026
Tivaci’s Movie Night steals the show at Newcastle
A sister to the Gr.1 ATC Flight Stakes (1600m) winner Never Been Kissed, the Waikato Stud-bred and raced Movie Night (NZ) was rewarded for her consistency, breaking her maiden with an all-the-way win over 1400m at Newcastle for trainer Tom Charlton.
Read More
9 July 2026
Oilman’s stud stake could change course of NZ breeding
Eighteen months ago, Texas oilman Nelson Bunker Hunt walked through the lush Waikato pasture of Matamata’s Balcarres Stud and announced he wanted some just like it for his own.
Today he has-360 acres about a mile down the road which has been transformed from a dairy farm to one of New Zealand’s leading horse and cattle breeding establishments.
Read More