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Progressive colt Salutes at Farm

3 minute read

Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou have winter carnival aspirations for General Salute.

Trainer STERLING ALEXIOU. Picture: Steve Hart

The brace of juvenile races at Warwick Farm could provide key pointers to the upcoming two-year-old features in Queensland with both winners being considered for winter carnival campaigns. 

Russian Revolution youngster General Salute ($3.70 fav) posted an impressive victory in the Home Affairs @ Coolmore Handicap (1200m), travelling outside the lead and extending in the straight to outpoint Influential ($4.80) by 1-1/2 lengths. 

The colt had finished third behind highly regarded juveniles Red Resistance and Steel City at his only other start in January and co-trainer Sterling Alexiou said the stable was keen to chase black-type in Brisbane with the BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on May 27 a likely target. 

"I don't think that is the way to ride him, but that will see him get enough prizemoney to get into a few of the better races now. He's a horse with a nice future," Alexiou said. 

"I'd like to think we can win a 1400 with him and push on to a Sires' (Produce Stakes) or possibly further up in Brisbane. 

"He's a half to Brutality so he's only going to get better with time and seven and eight furlongs shouldn't be a problem for him." 

Tulloch Lodge trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott produced Oz Empress to win the Racing And Sports Handicap (1200m) for the fillies and she could also be Queensland-bound. 

The youngster had form around Percy Sykes Stakes winner Kristilli before breaking her maiden at start number three on Wednesday and Bott said they hadn't ruled out sending her north. 

"I've had a very nice opinion of this filly coming to the races on each occasion. The formlines have been solid for her so it's good to see her take that next step today," Bott said. 

"It's important now we've got that Sydney win. 

"Potentially, there are a couple of options in Queensland for her we could look at, we've always wanted to keep those open but at the same time she has still got a bit of maturing to do and no doubt she is going to be better next campaign once she puts it all together." 

James Mcdonald rode in the first three races at Warwick Farm before being stood down from his remaining mounts due to illness but was expected to be fit to fulfil his bookings at Hawkesbury on Saturday.