Classy Sepoy three-year-old Native Soldier will hopefully head to the Gold Coast with a favourites chance in the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas Guineas following a return to form in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day but there was some concern when he pulled up lame.
Trainer Darren Weir was being interviewed after the race when he noticed his charge on the big screen looking distinctly propy as Craig Williams brought him back to scale.
Racing Victoria stewards confirmed Native Soldier had pulled up lame and with heat stress. (photo Grant Courtney )
"That was a very good gallop in fast time," Weir said.
"It looked like he was still strong on the line so hopefully we are on track for the Magic Millions. He'll head up for the 3yo race.
"I told Craig to make sure he gave him a really good gallop today because he needs a bring on run.
"It's all about having your horse in the right order for the grand final.
"He's got plenty of upside and one day I think he will win a really nice race over a mile."
Winner of the Group III Caulfield Guineas Prelude and the Group III HD McNeil Stakes in the autumn, the Darren Weir-trained gelding came off a nine-week break to finish fourth at Flemington on December 15.
Given a positive ride by Williams, Native Soldier dropped the pacesetting Runson coming around the home turn then galloped on strongly to defeat the fast-finishing Manolo Blahniq (Jimmy Choux) by one and a quarter lengths with a further half a length back to Runson (Dalzao) Back in third.
With his third stakes success, Native Soldier advances his record to 5 wins and 2 thirds from 12 starts with earnings of $357,100.
Purchased by Darren Weir Racing/John Foote Bloodstock for $160,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Native Soldier is the fourth foal of the hugely popular racemare Belong To Many who went on to win eight races and over $575,000, highlighted by four stakes wins, including the Group II Sapphire Stakes, when trained by Barbara Joseph.
A daughter of the former Widden shuttler, Belong To Me, Belong To Many was later sold as a broodmare prospect for $525,000 at the 2009 Easter Broodmare Sale with Vin Cox signing the ticket.
Five years later, Belong To Many was consigned to the Magic Millions National Broodmare sale where she was knocked down to Gerry Harvey's Baramul Stud for $230,000.
Belong To Many has a 2yo filly and a yearling filly foal by I Am Invincible but missed to Yarraman Park Stud's highflyer in 2017.
