General Truce well and truly exceeded the expectations of trainer Ricky Maund and the gelding's owners when the home-bred scored a shock win in the Group Three Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington.The Brief Truce two-year-old, sent out at $61, had experience on his side having beaten four rivals in a Bendigo Maiden (900m) on October 17 and was one of five debut winners in Saturday's 1000m event.However the $3.80 favourite Stirling Grove, a nine-length winner over 1000m at Morphettville on October 3,
General Truce well and truly exceeded the expectations of trainer Ricky Maund and the gelding's owners when the home-bred scored a shock win in the Group Three Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington.
The Brief Truce two-year-old, sent out at $61, had experience on his side having beaten four rivals in a Bendigo Maiden (900m) on October 17 and was one of five debut winners in Saturday's 1000m event.
However the $3.80 favourite Stirling Grove, a nine-length winner over 1000m at Morphettville on October 3, was scratched on veterinary advice after playing up in the barriers and taking some skin off.
General Truce raced in the first four throughout for Andrew Mallyon and kicked strongly when challenged to score by 1-1/2 lengths from Sweet Cheeks ($6) with She's Got Gears ($6) a long neck away third.
"I wouldn't have brought him here but there weren't many options and he pulled up well after Bendigo," Maund said.
"He's only tiny but I was very happy with him coming here today. He settled and I thought he'd beat more home with than beat him."
Maund explained that owners Kevin and Tanith O'Brien, who raced 2006 Group One Ascot Vale Stakes winner Gold Edition, were scaling down their operation and going for quality rather than quantity.
"We've got about 30 in work but the O'Briens have sold 80 horses over the past 12 months," he said.
Maund said the operation still had to be trimmed from 100 horses, 80 of which are in Victoria and 20 in Queensland.
General Truce, out of the General Nediym mare General Resolve, is a half-brother to Complete Control who was runner-up to Augusta Proud in the 2008 SAJC Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic (1200m) at Morphettville.
"I think he's earned his stripes now to have a break and come back for the Blue Diamond Preludes and I'm sure Kevin (O'Brien), being a Melbourne Racing Club committeeman, will be delighted," Maund said.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Brightexpectations ($4) started favourite after the scratching of Stirling Grove and after racing in second position weakened to finish fourth.
Mallyon had just the one ride at Flemington before driving to Geelong where he had rides later on Saturday.