General Salute earns Epsom exemption but targets other riches

General Salute has earned himself a golden ticket into the Epsom Handicap with his victory at Randwick, however, his trainers are opting to pursue a different lucrative option a week later.

The six-year-old gelding, sent out at $12, secured his third black-type triumph in the Bill Ritchie Handicap over 1400 metres on Saturday. He settled just off the pace-setting Matcha Latte ($13) and managed to wear him down in the closing stages to claim the Group 3 prize by a half-length.

Having previously battled with foot ailments, General Salute has been free from such concerns this campaign, a factor contributing to his consistent recent performances.

"Tim (Clark) trialled him the other day. He's got a great association with him, and he said it was the best he'd ever felt," co-trainer Sterling Alexiou commented. "He landed in a nice spot in a sit-and-sprint race. He's a lot better with a bit of cut out of the track, but he's going great."

Although the winner of the Bill Ritchie Handicap is exempt from the Epsom Handicap (1600m) ballot, Alexiou confirmed that the prestigious mile event was not on the stable's radar.

The focus now shifts to the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m), scheduled for Rosehill on October 10, a race carrying the same $1.5 million prizemoney as the Epsom.

"He hasn't had the preparation now (for an Epsom)," Alexiou explained. "We missed a run the other week in the Tramway. He spiked a bit of a temperature a month ago, so he'll probably go to the Alan Brown now."

This victory follows a strong off-season preparation for General Salute, which included wins in the Winter Stakes (1400m) and placings in the Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m) and Winter Challenge (1500m).

Jockey Tim Clark indicated that while he hadn't initially planned to be so forward in the run, he was pleased with the tactical position, echoing Alexiou's assessment of the horse's condition.

"He landed a little bit closer to the speed than I thought," Clark said. "I was happy to be there the way the race was being run. He seems like he's matured and he's a very talented horse."

Headley Grange, the $4 favourite, delivered a typically reliable performance to finish in third place, three-quarters of a length adrift of the runner-up.

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