The John O’Brien trained General JN showed his undoubted class at Santa Rosa Park, Arima on a sloppy main track to win the feature Grade Three event — the President's Cup over 1,900 metres on the main track on Wednesday.
Sent off at 9-2 in the betting behind the Shivam Maharaj owned pair of Master of War and Nuclear Power, jockey Rico Hernandez pushed General JN into in the lead from his wide draw and he held a two-length lead going into the first turn.
Going down the back General JN maintained the lead from Whisper Light with Nuclear Power and Master of War track. These were followed by Magical Victory, Thisonesforron and Caesar Country. The old-stager Buffalo Soldier came next with Battle Cry relegated to last.
At the far turn, General JN was enjoying himself at the head of affairs as Whisper Light hit the reverse button and began to go back through the field as the Harriram Gobin trained pair of Nuclear Power and Master of War kept pushing the leader. It was here that Kerron Khelawan aboard Thisonesforron began to make his move to the leaders along with Caesar Country.
At the top of the straight Rico Hernandez injected some pace into the race and General JN opened a three-length distance on the challengers now headed Master of War and Thisonesforron charging down the straight as Nuclear Power just gave up under the pace.
With 200 metres to race, General JN kept up the gallop as Thisonesforron moved into the second spot ahead of Master of War. However, in the final 100 metres, Yosenyer Serrano conjured another effort from Master of War and though he closed on General JN the line was always coming in favour of the race leader.
General JN won by ½ a length in a time of 1:59.4. Favourite Master of War ran on well for second with Thisonesforron third and Caesar Country fourth.
The day’s leading rider was Brian Boodramsing who rode three winners in Strike Away, Early Bird and Moana.
The day’s leading trainer was John O’Brien who saddled two winners on the eight-race card. O'Brien saddled Early Bird and General JN.