Once again displaying their affinity for short courses Ricky Maund’s small statured but big hearted galloper General Truce scored a thrilling late win in the $150,000 Listed 50 Years of Fashions on the Field Stakes (1000m) at Flemington’s Crown Oaks Day.

Ridden to perfection by Steven Arnold who wasted below his pet riding weight to partner with the Brief Truce five-year-old, General Truce relished the drop back from 1200m at Moonee Valley from Manikato Stakes night when they had run a brave third to Sea Lord and the drop back from 59.5kg to 55kg today.

They went out as a $17 outsider in the betting for Crown Oaks Day Race 8 having failed to win a race since March when they were over 955m at the Valley but got the job done in fine style over a distance that suited.

“He’s a lovely little short course horse,” Arnold said post-win.

“He likes that speed on and hits the line really hard.

“He struggles over further so it was the perfect race for him today.

“This boy coming back from 1200 metres suited, he freshened up beautifully and travelled like the winner.

“He’s only a little pony, that’s his go, he’s got really good form at that trip.”

Canali set the early pace with Zaratone burning up the middle of the field to go with them while Arnold had General Truce settle back off the speed ready to swoop.

As they came towards the clock tower in the closing stages of the sprint feature race favourite Golden Archer carrying the 58kg topweight let loose and looked like they would pull away and take it home but just didn’t quite get enough of a lead.

General Truce ($17), who had been held back a stride extra tracking up behind Golden Archer, then came flying through on the outside hard and fast drawing away on the line to win by three quarters of a length – Arnold having waited for Luke Nolen on the favourite to go before putting his mount into their final gear in the final 50 meters to run through.

Golden Archer ($4F) held on for second while the Mick Price-trained Stratcombe ($18) finished off the trifecta just a quarter length further away in third.

It had been a field for the swoopers all day and General Truce was no exception getting a better run out the back to produce a great result for Cranbourne battler Maund who runs a stable of about 25 horses.

“Coming off the 1200m last start, there was no query coming back to the thousand today, he’s a fairly good on his day at the thousand,” Maund said.

“Steve was more than happy how he run last start.

“Steve doesn’t ride 55 kilos much but he was adamant he would waste the bit extra and ride him today because as you can see the horse was in good form and he did look good today.

“He hit the line quite good.

“Twelve months ago he might have been a length or two off this class.

“But he’s become a bit more adaptable in his racing, you can take him up on the pace or ride him back a bit cold.

“This guy we’ll just take it day by day with him.

“We’ve just got to shop round and drop the weight off.

“We’ll just place him in the right races we think he’s got a chance in cause he just tries.”

See below for the full results of the 50 Years of Fashions on the Field Stakes and don’t forget to head to bookmaker.com.au for your next spring punt!

2012 50 Years of Fashions on the Field Results & Finishing Order

Flemington Race 8 – 08/11/2012