Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Lightly-raced New Zealand-bred pacer Hugotastic gave further proof that he has a bright future when he romped to an effortless win in the $23,000 Garrard’s Horse And Hound Australia And NZ Wide Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The Michael Young-trained New Zealand-bred five-year-old justified her hot favouritism at $1.04 when Gary Hall Jnr drove him confidently to win by more than two lengths from $20 chance Cee Dee Three, rating 1.57.9 after sprinting over the final 800m in 56.2sec.
“I like him; he is an all-round horse, who was tough in his trial and was fast first-up (wining by almost five lengths at Pinjarra) and tonight he just cruised around and won easily,” said an admiring Young. “Hopefully, he will make his way to Free-For-Alls.”
Hall also was lavish in his praise, saying: “He’s got a few gears, but has a little bit to learn on his tractability. It’s only minor stuff, and he should go a long way.”
Hugotastic began from barrier two on the back line and he settled down in seventh position before Hall set him alight 450m after the start and he quickly burst to the front and went on to prove far too good for his rivals.
He is by boom sire Sweet Lou and is the fourth foal out of Art Major mare Its All On, who raced twelve times in New Zealand for two wins, one placing and $10, 200. Its All On has also produced smart performers Bettor Get It On (51 starts for 11 wins, 19 placings and $191,675) and Mr Fantastic (52 starts for 14 wins, eight placings and $156,207).
Hugotastic is poised to improve significantly on his record of 16 starts for five wins, seven placings and $59,424 in stakes.