Nick Hall Lands a Double
Nick Hall witnessed General Truce’s turn of foot first hand aboard That’s The One at Flemington a fortnight ago. Likely winner That’s The One had to settle for second place when General Truce flashed home in the closing stages to win.
Last Saturday Nick Hall was booked to ride General Truce in the Group 3 D C McKay Stakes over 1,100 metres at Morphettville. Nick’s greatest concern was the 58.5kg impost for the small gelding. After listening to instructions from Ricky Maund, Nick announced his intentions to win in the last stride. The statement had a double reference. It related to General Truce’s recent racing pattern and his last start win, but also to Nick Hall’s ride earlier in the day aboard Calcatta where he won in the last stride and by the barest of margins over Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm bred Zellindi in the Listed Dequetteville Stakes for 2yos.
Wide and next to last at the turn it was apparent that General Truce was going to need every bit of his turn of foot to be any chance. The General delivered. Swamping the thirteen horse field General Truce flashed home to win the race 0.3 lengths clear of Karacatis – just as Nick Hall had predicted.
The win took the Brief Truce gelding’s prize money earnings beyond $700,000. It was his eighth win and second at Group 3 level – his first beyond 1,000m. “General Truce has really come on since his Flemington win. His trackwork last Tuesday was perhaps his best ever,” said trainer Ricky Maund after the race. “Many have said he won’t get 1,200, but he is more mature now and settles in running. On his current form he deserves a crack at The Goodwood”.
General Truce, from General Nediym mare General Resolve was bred by Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm.
Race 8 Replay : Morphettville 27 April 2013 D C McKay Stakes
