Evergreen sprinter Generalife earned himself another winter break in Queensland with a typically honest performance to take second place in the G3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes at Sandown, Australia, on Saturday, November 14.
Evergreen sprinter Generalife earned himself another winter break in Queensland with a typically honest performance to take second place in the G3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes at Sandown, Australia, on Saturday, November 14.
The six-year-old has had limited opportunities this spring with only two suitable races available to him before the Sandown event.
But he showed his liking for both the track and the 1300m distance, producing a late burst to fail by a long neck to catch the winner, Famous Seamus.
Generalife had finished second in the same race a year ago and had put together a consistent record over the unusual distance.
"The 1200m is a bit sharp for him these days, but this distance seems to suit him well," said trainer John O'Shea.
As a result, the stable is hoping to set Generalife for the G1 Stradbroke Handicap in Brisbane, a race in which he finished an outstanding third last June and one that comes with the gelding's preferred distance range.
"It won't hurt him to have some sun on his back at this stage of his career," O'Shea said.
"He's been a very good horse for the stable and it would be great to get him the G1 win he deserves."
Generalife's second placing edges him closer to the $1m mark in racetrack earnings.
"It would be a tribute to him to get to the million, he's been such an honest horse all his life."
Generalife settled in midfield and was poised to make his bid entering the straight.
But just as jockey James McDonald was gathering him for his finishing burst, another runner rolled out in front of him, costing the son of Lonhro some ground.
"I could have gone earlier, but it would have been too early," McDonald said.
"By the time I got him going it was too late."
