Racing: Gusto 

Gusto stretched out well in a solo gallop at this morning’s Hastings track session and may start next at Otaki next Thursday.

There was very little in the way of fast work, which was confined to the plough (soft).

Gusto ran a 1000 metres in 1:8.3, coming home the last 600 in 38.9 and looked to be travelling well. He has been troubled by a back injury since his last start third at Otaki a month ago but seemed to be free in his action today.

Manawatu entrant Flower Of Fashion clocked the fastest time of the morning when running a solo 1000 metres in 1:2.8, the last 600 in 36.1. She lines up in the Rating 65 1600-metre event at Awapuni on Saturday with apprentice Katia Scallan to ride.

A Spartacus three-year-old gelding in Jamie Bridge’s stable worked in from the 1000-metre peg in 1:8.7, quickening over the last 600 in 37.6. He was one of several Hastings-trained horses who competed in the Waipukurau jumpouts last Monday.

Adriatico, who is down to make her race debut in the Maiden 1300 at Awapuni on Saturday, clocked 1:8.8 for 1000 metres, the last 600 in 39 while Pimms Time ran over the same ground in 1:6.5, the last 600 in 38.6.

The Innkeeper worked in at three-quarter pace from the 1000 and quickened slightly over the last 7600 in 41.6 while a Perfectly Ready three-year-old filly in the Lowry/Cullen stable ended her work with 600 metres in 44.9.