The military rank of General can only be achieved by producing a long, successful and distinguished career, so when Kevin and Tanith O\u2019Brien of Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm decided to call their home-breed son of Brief Truce – General Truce, they unknowingly chose a very fitting name.<\/p>\n
Retained by the O\u2019Brien\u2019s’ after the horse was not accepted for auction by the sales companies as a yearling, General Truce made a winning debut as a 2yo in a Bendigo maiden back in October 2009 and at his following start, would have had the sale companies regretting their decision even further when he took out the G3 Maribyrnong Plate.<\/p>\n
Four seasons on, a further seven wins \u2013 three of them at stakes level, and with placings behind Black Caviar, Happy Trials, Soul and Buffering on his record, the rising 7yo is still performing at the top level and commenced his latest campaign with this weekend\u2019s G1 Oakleigh Plate, firmly in his sights.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had mapped his preparation all out and this (Oakleigh Plate) was the target race. He\u2019s performed really well in his first two races this preparation so he comes into this race in really good order\u201d confirmed Lauriston\u2019s Operations Manager James O\u2019Brien.<\/p>\n
The two runs this preparation consists of a win first up in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000M) before leading all bar the final stride when finishing a nose second to Shamal Wind in the W. J. Adam Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield three weeks ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cI actually think his last start, even though he came second, was perhaps his career best race.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe carried 60kgs and he is only a small horse. With 55kgs on his back Saturday, he won\u2019t know himself. Of course, gate sixteen is pretty disappointing.\u201d<\/p>\n
As was the case when he contested the 2011 Oakleigh Plate as a 3yo, the barrier draw hasn\u2019t been kind to General Truce and connections.<\/p>\n
He jumped from gate seventeen in \u201911 but produced one of the fastest closing sectionals of the race in finishing eighth, beaten only three lengths behind Eagle Falls.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt (the barrier) is pretty disappointing and it will make it tougher for him, but obviously there is plenty of pace drawn underneath us and hopefully Andrew (Mallyon) can find a spot for us\u201d.<\/p>\n
If any jockey could find the right way home for General Truce, it is likely to be Andrew Mallyon.<\/p>\n
Mallyon rode the horse at his first five starts and almost four years later, was reunited with him at the beginning of this preparation. Recent results have taken their partnership record to seven starts for three wins and two seconds.<\/p>\n
What has kept General Truce racing consistently all this time? Well, there\u2019s no secret according to O\u2019Brien; they\u2019ve just kept the horse happy.<\/p>\n
\u201cRicky\u2019s (trainer Ricky Maund) stable environment is pretty relaxed. He\u2019s got the beach that\u2019s the first thing, so there\u2019s a lot of beach work. It\u2019s not like an intense city stable environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s also a very good \u2018do-er\u2019 and when he does spell, he spells tremendously well. He spells at our farm and in fact, on the odd occasion Ricky\u2019s been a bit critical that he\u2019s come back too gross.\u201d<\/p>\n
The O\u2019Brien\u2019s well renowned orange and green colours have been carried by some smart performers over the years, including G1 winners Gold Edition and Ice Chariot but, one horse they\u2019d dearly love to see win at in them at the elite level would be General Truce or \u201cOllie\u201d as he is referred to by those that know him best.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone around him just really adores him. He is definitely one of the favourites.\u201d<\/p>\n
article by Scott Gooley aap<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The military rank of General can only be achieved by producing a long, successful and distinguished career, so when Kevin and Tanith O\u2019Brien of Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm decided to call their home-breed son of Brief Truce – General Truce, they … Continue reading