Monsieur Gustave is out to prove he's the most improved horse in Queensland
Caloundra galloper Monsieur Gustave is set to confirm he is the most improved horse in Queensland when he resumes at Doomben.
Monsieur Gustave will be aiming to keep his excellent strike rate in stakes races intact in Saturday’s Listed Keith Noud Quality (1200m).
The gelding won the Listed Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich and the Listed Glasshouse Mountains Sprint at his two runs before a spell in the winter carnival.
His other stakes race start resulted in a third behind Most Important in the Buffering Quality last New Year’s Eve.
Monsieur Gustave also ran in the non-black type Magic Millions Cup in January in which he was unplaced after having no luck.
Darryl Hansen has won five races with Monsieur Gustave since taking over his training 15 months ago when Jason McLachlan decided to take a break.
He won his first start for Hansen by nine lengths in August 2016 and has continued to improve since.
“He has come a long way in the past year but he is only lightly raced and I hope there is better to come,” Hansen said.
Monsieur Gustave has won first-up but is a noted second-up horse having won three from four.
“Nevertheless I would be disappointed if he doesn’t run well on Saturday,” Hansen said.
“Monsieur Gustave will press on through the summer races and hopefully get another crack at the Magic Millions Cup.”
“He won the Glasshouse Handicap at 1400 metres, so there is no reason he won’t handle it at the Gold Coast in January.”
Monsieur Gustave is a half brother to handy stayer Outraged and Hansen believes he might even get a little further than 1400m.
Rain is forecast for Brisbane on Saturday and that holds no fears for Monsieur Gustave who has won all three of his starts on wet tracks.
Hansen also has promising three-year-old Bring It Home Pop, who won his two starts before a spell, resuming over 1050m.
“He ran in the Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic last season and it was a handy effort. He is another who has improved since then and he is headed to the Magic Millions Guineas,” Hansen said.
