Fitness no problems for the Kalgoorlie Cup favourite

How he negotiates the Kalgoorlie track for the first time rather than fitness will threaten General Grant’s chances of winning Saturday’s $150,000 XXXX-Kalgoorlie Cup (2200m), according to trainer Stephen Miller.

Miller remains optimistic General Grant can bounce back from a minor setback and get his campaign back on track following the disappointment of his late scratching from last fortnight’s Boulder Cup (2100m).

General Grant has not raced since winning a 2100m handicap with 59kg at Belmont, but despite going into a searching staying test off a forced 28 day gap, Miller says fitness won’t stop the five-year-old from winning the Kalgoorlie Cup.

“He had a little hiccup, but has been kept up to the mark,” Miller said on Tabradio.

“There was no point taking him to the Boulder Cup, but he really hasn’t missed a beat since then.

“I don’t think fitness wise there is going to a problem, he’s spot on.

‘The main problem is going to be the travelling and how he handles the track.

“If he handles the track I’m confident he will run a good race.”

General Grant is favourite at $4.20 with Tabtouch and jumps from barrier 12.

The son of All American carries 54kg for jockey Brad Parnham, a big drop on weight that he’s carried in the past.

“He was second up in a 2100m and handled that pretty good with 59kg,” Miller said.

“He drops to 54kg and that is in his favour.

“He’s been set for this race and hopefully things go his way.”

Miller holds a potent two-pronged attack in the Kalgoorlie Cup with No Apology also a serious threat after two excellent lead in runs.

The six-year-old is enjoying top form in the goldfields after winning the Coolgardie Cup (1760m) and answering a staying test when runner-up to Stafford’s Lad in the Boulder Cup.

“He’s come through everything spot on,” Miller said.

“I had a doubt about the distance, but he toughed it out really good in the Boulder Cup and has gone on with it since.

“He’s probably going to get the run of the race and I think he will be there at the end of it.

“He’s trained on really good and is a tough little horse.

“He’ll run well.”

After he opened at $8, No Apology has trimmed into $6.

The six-year-old starts from gate six for his rider, Lucy Warwick.