Northern Territory sprinter The Soldier won his first race on a grass track when he led all the way in the Red Tempo Handicap at Flemington.
The eight-year-old, a 1000m specialist, landed his 20th victory at that trip from 31 tries, taking his overall record to 23 wins from 45 outings.
“He’s an amazing horse, that’s for sure,” said Caulfield trainer Byron Cozamanis who has had the Marwina gelding for two starts, the other being a second to speedster Definitely Ready over 955m at Moonee Valley on October 28.
“Kenny Rogerson trains him and he’s had him all his life,” Cozamanis said.
“He used to come and stay with me in Adelaide but this year he sent him down to me to see if we could win a race on the grass.
“That’s his first win on the grass. All the others have been on the dirt.”
Cozamanis admitted he thought the sprinter would win when he was weighted on 53.5kg, just a half kilogram over the limit while fellow Northern Territorian Periduki was given topweight of 59.5kg.
“I don’t very often think they can win but I did today,” Cozamanis said.
Periduki, the winner of 19 races, was very easy in the betting drifting from $3.50 to start at $6 and when he blew the start by a couple of lengths The Soldier had an easy time in front.
Ridden by Michael Walker, The Soldier ($3.40 fav) scored by three lengths from Falco Star ($4) with Johnny Fiasco ($11) a head away third.
Periduki was 1-1/4 lengths further back fourth of the seven runners.
“I might have to talk to Kenny and the owners but we might go to the Valley for a 955-metre race on New Year’s Eve,” Cozamanis said.
It was Walker’s third win up the Flemington straight track in the past two Saturdays having last week combined for a double with trainer Russell Cameron on Translation and Delegance.
“I was waiting for the clock tower but he was going that good I let him go about 30 metres before it and as soon as I did he put the race to rest,” Walker, who leaves for New Zealand for a 2-1/2 week holiday to see his children, said.
“The horse was super impressive today. He gives his all, he’s very quick.”
AAP TURF
