Caulfield test for in-form British General

Thursday 24 January 2013, 5:53pm

British General can earn a Group One C F Orr Stakes start if he takes his Flemington form across town in the John Dillon Stakes.

Trainer Dan O'Sullivan is trying not to get ahead of himself with the in-form galloper but he is prepared to give him his shot at the big time if he ends a Caulfield hoodoo in the Listed 1400m event on Saturday.

"I keep trying to remain realistic and don't want to aim at a Group One, but if he keeps winning then why not," O'Sullivan said.

"In two weeks there's the 1400-metre race at Caulfield, the C F Orr Stakes, and if he was to win on Saturday we'd probably head down that path."

British General, a horse that survived the Black Saturday bushfires, has won his past three starts at Flemington including the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes.

To continue his winning streak he'll have to do something he hasn't done before.

"He's been to Caulfield twice and failed twice," O'Sullivan said.

"That's probably the one negative. His three good wins in town have all been at Flemington.

"I'd just like to see him remove that mark at Caulfield."

O'Sullivan believes the gelding's two Caulfield failures - one being in his first start in a race - aren't a true guide and hopes the five-year-old proves it on Saturday.

"He's come through his recent races really well and we've been able to keep the same routine with him which has been good," the trainer said.

British General is a clear-cut favourite at $2.60.

In his past two starts British General has formed part of an O'Sullivan city double but he won't have stablemate Tuscan Fire by his side in the raceday stalls this time.

"I might have to put him on the float as a lead pony," O'Sullivan joked.

British General will instead head to the races with stablemate Beer Garden, a $21 chance in the Champagne Pommery Handicap (2000m).

The John Dillon Stakes is one of four Listed races on the Caulfield card, highlighted by the running of the Blue Diamond Previews.

– AAP

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