Cream rose to the top in the $1million Listed Newcastle Herald Hunter (1300m) on Saturday with classy Russian Revolution gelding General Salute carrying top weight of 59kg to victory.
Trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, General Salute is a horse in career best form following a run of frustrating injuries earlier in his career that led to considerable periods on the sidelines.
The 6YO won the Group III ATC Bill Ritchie in September and was a close last start fifth in the Group III ATC Alan Brown Stakes.
With regular rider Tim Clark in the saddle, General Salute set sail for home down the middle of the track with talented mare She’s an Artist for company and the pair knuckled down to fight out the finish.
The mare tried hard and had a 6kg pull in the weights, but General Salute is all heart and got his nose in front on the line.
WHAT A FINISH IN THE HUNTER ?? General Salute gets the bob of the head right at the end to claim victory in the Hunter. Tim Clark with the winning ride for the Alexiou and Ryan stable. https://t.co/eMbYkLUL0a
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 14, 2026
"He is very honest and had to fight for it, and that he did," Tim Clark said.
"The tempo was obviously quite quick because he came off the bridle in the middle stages.
"He was really relaxed which is a good sign, I like it when he relaxes because he saves that energy and can show a good turn of foot.
"I was mindful of the big weight and wanted to build him up bit earlier, let him work through his gears and to the second horses credit, she kept coming and I couldn't shake her off.
"I am glad he got his head down, because he's never far away and very honest and is a horse I enjoy riding."
The victory took General Salute’s overall record to six wins and nine placings from 22 starts with prizemoney topping $1.6million.
Retained to race by his breeder Ross McMillan, General Salute is a three-quarter brother to Group II ATC Villiers Stakes winner Brutality and is the second stakes-winner among five winners from six foals to race from stakes-placed General Nediym mare Star Salute.
Star Salute produced a colt by Russian Revolution last spring and was not covered after that.
Russian Revolution has 10 entries for Magic Millions 2027.
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