Superlative G2 performance from Gustav Klimt

Gustav Klimt (2c Galileo-Massarra, by Danehill) showed star quality at Newmarket on Saturday when, despite a troubled passage, he won the G2 Superlative Stakes with authority.

The blue-blooded Galileo colt met trouble in running a furlong and a half from home but jockey Ryan Moore was still able to bounce back, showing great finishing speed to get up in the final strides.

Bookmakers now offer only 6/1 about Gustav Kilimt for next year’s G1 2,000 Guiineas and trainer Aidan O’Brien revealed he is set to follow in the path of previous star Ballydoyle juveniles.

“He surprised Ryan the last day at the Curragh with how he quickened and he was always going to take his time on him,” said O’Brien. “He was just coming and it got a little bit tight, but Ryan switched the horse very quickly and he took off. We always thought he would be a G1 National Stakes and G1 Dewhurst-type horse. Obviously we have the G2 Futurity (at the Curragh on August 20). They are the races we would be thinking of.”

Moore, who had ridden stablemate Clemmie (2f Galileo-Meow, by Storm Cat) to win the G2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes 24 hours earlier, was full of praise for Gustav Klimt’s turn of foot.

“He’s a very good horse and I really liked him on both starts,” Moore said. “He ran real green, as he had never been in tight before but that was a very good performance to get back from there. He has a lot of potential and settles very well and has a very good turn of foot.”