Almost seven years after their association began, veteran sprinter General Truce is still playing a special part in the career of Andrew Mallyon.
The jockey will be back aboard the rising nine-year-old in Saturday’s Midwest Bellarine Hcp (1100m) at Flemington after registering his latest city win on the gelding at the same track two weeks ago.
The combination between Mallyon and General Truce began in the spring of 2009.
“I won on him in his first start as a two-year-old in a maiden at Bendigo and then he ended up winning the Maribyrnong Plate,” Mallyon said.
“I also rode him throughout his Blue Diamond preparation.”
The partnership wasn’t renewed for almost another four years but when it was, the jockey was able to guide the sprinter to a Listed win in the Kensington Stakes on January 1, 2014.
The 27-year-old has ridden the 61-start veteran in another five races since.
“He’s probably the only horse that’s put my name up in lights, that I’ve ridden regularly through his career,” Mallyon says.
“And he’s kind of been that horse that’s come along at the right times.
“When I first rode him as a two-year-old I was just coming out of my apprenticeship and starting my progression into a senior jockey and he was my first city winner as a senior and first Group winner.
“He kind of got me going.”
Mallyon said he was then “treading water” but the 2014 Kensington Stakes win helped him along.
The jockey had a hip operation last year and hopes the recent win, and hopefully another good showing on Saturday, can lead to more city opportunities.
“He’s been a terrific help,” he said.
“I wish I had another 10 more of him.”
General Truce’s last-start win came at his first start for Tony Vasil who has made a return to the training ranks after taking a break for health reasons.
The sprinter was formerly trained by Ricky Maund, who is serving a six-month disqualification.
General Truce is at $8 for Saturday’s race.
“He’s given me the same feel from when I got on him as a two-year-old to what he does now,” Mallyon said.
“Sometimes you find some of those older horses can lose a bit of interest, but he’s as keen and feels just the same as what he did as a young horse.
“He’s probably the most honest horse I’ve ridden. He always has a crack.”
