General Grant has always shown staying promise and that potential is surfacing for his trainer Stephen Miller.
The lightly-raced son of All American resumed from a spell in February and gradually stepped up to a suitable distance in the Amelia Park Lodge Hcp (1800m) on Saturday.
“He will eventually get out to 2200 metres,” Miller predicted after the tough win at Ascot. “He had no luck getting off the fence last Saturday and backing up after seven days wasn’t a problem. He’s a bit of a ‘roo dog’ and keeps himself fit.”
General Grant (Photo: Western Racepix) jostled for a forward position before settling one-out, one-back for Brad Parnham who wasted no time going for home on the corner. Left in front a long way out, he refused to surrender when challenged by Blazing Away (City Place) and Piccola Signora (Pierro).
“Brad got him into a rhythm and rode him a treat,” Miller continued. “He got moving early and the horse flattened out and sustained a long run to win.”
General Grant was purchased as foal by Jade Fletcher acting for Horseshoe Investments owner Rod Russell. His dam Soldier’s Smile (Soldier’s Tale) is a half-sister to Éclair Mystic (LR MRC Zeditave Stakes).
Second-dam Leica Smile (At Talaq) won a G1 Australian Oaks and is related to Leica Lover (Latin Lover) who won a G1 WATC Derby for Bart Cummings.
If he continues to make progress this season, General Grant will likely be set for the Broome Cup in August.
Russell and Fletcher had won the first-leg of an All American double on Saturday with Lincoln’s Law at Kalgoorlie – 15 minutes before General Grant prevailed in Perth.
Lincoln’s Law had won a Pinjarra maiden when trained by Stephen Miller this time last year. Now with Neil Dellar in the Goldfields, he’s also bred to get over ground. His dam Miss Begotten (Redoute’s Choice) is a half-sister to Brorama Star (G3 Hobart Cup) and Zero Drama (LR Kilmore Cup).
