Lee’s word of warning

Jason Lee has only been in the bike behind General Dodge on two occasions, but both were scintillating wins that suggested the best might still be ahead of Mick Chircop’s embattled star.

The leading reinsman will team up with the eight-year-old again this Saturday night for just his second crack at Group 1 glory when he contests the $100,000 VHRC Caduceus Classic in Bendigo. See fields here.

It will be General Dodge’s first start in more than four months, and while he’s confident the horse “most definitely” has what it takes to win at the elite level, Lee has a little word of warning for punters that might have backed the gelding in to $2.10 favourite from an opening quote of $5.

“He’s got all the tools that you need to get the job done at Group 1 level, but I’d say they’re pretty brave if they’re launching into him against that sort of quality of horses and field, first-up over the short and (I’m) probably not real sure where he’s going to be (in the run) yet,” Lee told Trots Talk.

“I’d say they’re brave punters if they’re launching in that hard this early.”

General Dodge, who boasts 14 wins from just 19 starts, hasn’t raced since winning the Golden Reign Free For All at Melton on May 1. It followed a first-up win after 14 months out when he scored at Geelong on April 17.

LISTEN TO LEE ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE OF TROTS TALK BELOW: