Blake Shinn found the narrowest of seams between runners to snatch a last stride win on the Dream Ahead (USA) gelding Generalissimo in Saturday's $150,000 Listed South Pacific Classic 2017 at Randwick.
Coming off a fifth behind Derryn in the Listed Darby Munro (1200m) on a bottomless track at Rosehill on Golden Slipper day the bold-striding Generalissimo edged out Rosa Carolina (Savabeel) by a short-head with Siren's Fury (Myboycharlie) a half-length back in third. (photos Steve Hart).
Three starts back Generalissimo was third behind Man From Uncle in the Group III Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m).
"He lost his way a bit at the last couple," White said.
"But I'm pretty sure it was just the tracks.
"That track, even though it's heavy isn't as bad as the last two he's raced on, so onwards and upwards now."
Shinn said a drop in grade and a rise in
"The horse did a great job," Shinn said.
"He obviously ran on that really wet track on Golden Slipper Day and was coming back a little bit in grade up to 1400m."
"It's great for Gary White and for his biggest client Mr Mapp.
I'm sure winning a race on day two of The Championships is a great thrill. "
A homebred for Hobartville Stud's Grahame Mapp, Generalissimo advances his overall record to 4 wins and 1 third from 11 starts with earnings of 173,585.
The first stakes-winner in the family for five generations, Generalissimo is the third foal and second winner out of the winning Redoute's Choice mare Leanders Choice.
One of six winners from as many to race out of the 4-time Sydney winner Leander Hall (El Moxie)
Generalissimo is third