In the same week Russian Revolution had his service fee halved by Newgate Farm, he came up with a new stakes-winner as smart sprinter General Salute overcame some hoof issues to post a barnstorming win in the $250,000 Group III ATC Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) bringing a super timely pedigree update for his yearling half-brother to be offered at Inglis Easter.
Trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, General Salute was sent out favourite following an impressive first up win at Kembla last month following a lengthy spell.
The lightly raced four year-old chimed in with a well timed run for Tyler Schiller to win by a long head taking his overall record to three wins and two placings from 10 starts with prizemoney topping $290,000.
Gerald Ryan revealed General Salute has never lacked for talent, but keeping his four feet on the ground has been an issue.
“We had a lot of feet trouble and he used to get a lot of quarter cracks. After he ran in the Hawkesbury Guineas last year we cut his feet right away back to the bone and let him grow a new hoof,” said Ryan.
"The owners have been very patient. He's always had the ability. Some of the races we ran him in, he was running well behind good horses and he has come back well. He's got no feet problems now."
Retained to race by his breeder, General Salute is a three-quarter brother to Group II ATC Villiers Stakes winner Brutality and is the fourth winner from four foals to race from Stakes-placed General Nediym mare Star Salute.
HP Thoroughbreds will offer the current yearling from Star Salute at Inglis Easter as Lot 188 and she is a quality filly by The Autumn Sun.
Star Salute was covered again by Russian Revolution last spring and appears to be in foal.
General Salute is the 12th stakes-winner for Russian Revolution, who is priced to please this spring at a fee of $33,000.
