Major threat can’t dislodge General’s pattern

While all the hype had been held by horses’ trained north of the border and off-shore, it was a Smythes Creek battle-hardened Mach Three who landed the killer blow in Saturday night’s Breeders Crown harness racing semi-finals at Bendigo.

Shane and Lauren Tritton’s Tingira Beach was outstanding for the Menangle Park pair in semi-final one, but the script was thrown out in the second two-year-old colts and geldings semi-final when Christchurch trainer Mark Purdon’s gun, Pacing Major, was held off by Our Little General.

“He’s a proper little racehorse now,” driver Chris Alford said, having notched up the second of three consecutive winning drives. “With a bit of luck somewhere we will be in the money (in the final).”

That defining moment will come in race six next Saturday, when the Emma Stewart trained Our Little General’s large ownership contingent will be in attendance, including Anne Anderson of part-owner/breeder Lauriston Bloodstock.

“It was fantastic,” Ms Anderson said. “We never expected him to hold off that quality field and he did it well.”

VIDEO: ANNE ANDERSON DELIGHTED AFTER HER COLT SUCCEEDS

From barrier seven Our Little General was sent to the top, where he was joined by Pacing Major at the bell, who was given a reprieve from his three-wide move when Bettor Be Gold gave Purdon’s runner cover.

Come the final bend Our Little General stole the march on the field and by the time Purdon put Pacing Major into the open the task had become considerable. His Art Major colt loomed up, but Our Little General kicked on with 100m to go and that was all she wrote.

“His first start was a heat of the Australian Pacing Gold and he’s danced every dance since then and we are just so proud of him,” Anderson said. “We’ll be back. I haven’t missed a Breeders Crown since the first one at Bendigo, so I’m a huge Breeders Crown fan and to have one in is fantastic.”

Come the final Our Little General will again have to come from barrier seven and Pacing Major barrier nine after their semi-final draws were replicated. Their main rival, Tinigira Beach, will launch from barrier two for the Trittons, potentially enabling Pacing Major an avenue through and making Our Little General’s position a little trickier.

With the Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series crown already in his keeping, Tingira Beach couldn’t have been more impressive in his semi-final win and, with barrier draw front of mind, he’s been installed as a $1.50 favourite to win on TAB fixed odds.

In the semi-final, the Somebeachsomewhere/Western Tingira colt held the front from barrier one and with 27.4 and 27.1 third and fourth quarters built a 12.3m win from Sunset Zeus, who had been on leader’s back. The dominant performance was that of a horse on his way up, Tritton said.

“When we came here (for Vicbred) he was really green and still learning. He’s a different horse now, he’s a lot more switched on,” Tritton said. “He’s been really sharp in his work and I think he’s a really nice horse and he’s got his chance to win a good race.”

VIDEO: SHANE TRITTON ONE VERY PROUD TRAINER

That would mean more delight for his owners and breeders, the Dacar Newcastle group.

“They come to Breeders Crown every year whether they have a runner or not,” Tritton said. “If I could get them a Breeders Crown win it would just mean the world to them. I think he’s good enough. I’d hate to think there’s better ones out there my bloke, he just feels great, I love him."

Michael Howard (HRV Media/Communications Co-Ordinator)