Into Battle. General Sherman storms clear under Randall Simons
Sean Tarry’s fast improving General Sherman won the R150 000 Listed Drum Star Handicap run over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday in dazzling style. There is no denying that the gelding looks to have a few serious Champions Season aspirations, and is a horse to watch.
Tarry and his leading owner Chris Van Niekerk have a serious string of horseflesh at their disposal and with that armoury goes the principle of practised patience. In General Sherman’s case things are unfolding in a very positive direction.
Now that he has matured and learnt how to settle, he is developing into a serious racehorse, and slammed his field in the Drum Star in great style.
Tarry always had the strategic ascendancy as a result of his quartet of runners in the feature, and it was not surprising to see his lightly weighted Selborne Supremacy take the lead from Directorate after they had travelled a few hundred meters.
This was a move to ensure that General Sherman would benefit from a true run affair.
Around the turn Selborne Supremacy led Directorate with a three length gap back to the second bunch, led by Straw Market. Emperor Augustus was further back and just shaded Baracah, Go Gold and General Sherman.
Into the straight Selborne Supremacy shortened his stride when challenged by Directorate as Putney Flyer and Glorious Jet commenced their runs.
But in a few strides the picture altered as General Sherman burst through the centre and took up the running from Straw Market at the 300m marker as Emperor Augustus went for his run down the outside.
The 9 to 2 second favourite General Sherman won by 2,25 lengths in a time of 109,56 secs, and held off the late challenge of the ex Cape horse Putney Flyer, who ran a smart race over a distance short of his best.
The consistent favourite Straw Market stayed on well for third, just ahead of a flying Super Trouper.
The joint second favourite Emperor Augustus ran a one paced fifth after looking dangerous up straight.
Winning jockey Randall Simons said that his mount had settled beautifully and that he had sent him early as he did not want him caught flat flooted.
Simons said that he felt that General Sherman would see out 2200m once he matures and learns to race.
Trainer Sean Tarry that General Sherman’s improving form graph was largely as a result of learning about how to race:
“I must thank Chris (Van Niekerk) for allowing me to utilise a pacemaker. I don’t see the standside track suiting him and he has just about done his dash in Gauteng. I am happy with his rating and may look at a race like the Cup Trial. I can’t see him qualifying for the July in time,” he added.
General Sherman was bred by Nigel Page and is by Strike Smartly out of the twice winning Fort Wood mare, Wild Olive.
General Sherman cost R380 000 at the National Yearling Sale and has now won 5 times with 7 places for R395 975 in stake money.
