Caloundra speed machine General Jackson may have booked a trip to Sydney for next month’s Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill following the youngster’s all-the-way win at Doomben.

General Jackson ($2.15 fav) got punters off to a flying start when holding on for a short neck win over Stellenbosch Love ($11) in Saturday’s Fit Health Insurance Handicap (1010m).

In a blanket finish, Optionality ($4.80) was only a long neck away third.

General Jackson, a $60,000 buy at the Magic Millions sales, led by almost 10 lengths in the middle stages before almost being hauled in on the line.

Trainer Mick Mair has nominated the son of General Nediym for the Group One Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill during the autumn carnival but is keen to send him to Sydney earlier.

“He’s in the Silver Slipper but I’ll see how he pulls up first before deciding whether he goes down or not,” Mair said.

“He was going so quick he looked to be hanging and he’s got to need to learn to settle.

“He doesn’t need to be any fitter for the Silver Slipper so I’m not sure if he’ll need another run.”

Jockey Ken Pope believes General Jackson would improve with racing but denied the gelding hung out during the race.

“He wasn’t hanging,” Pope said.

“He’s just got too much pace up and was a little awkward.

“It was a good effort and he really dug in when he heard the others coming.

“I would have liked him to switch off more but he can’t at this stage of his career because he’s got too much speed.”

Mair said General Jackson, who was bred by his long-time client Roy Thompson, was difficult to load in the barrier during his early education.

“He spent the first half of his education not wanting to go in and now he just wants to get out,” he said.

“I thought he was gone 200 metres out but he fought on good,” Mair said .

It’s been almost 20 years since Mair and Thompson last ventured to Sydney trying to win the Silver Slipper.

Dr. Zackary finished sixth to Dapper Magic in the 1993 Silver Slipper before going on to win the Listed Kindergarten Stakes and Group Three Skyline Stakes.

The Queenslander then ran fifth in the Group Two Todman Slipper Trial and 10th in the Golden Slipper Stakes won by Danzero.