Soldier advances to Guineas in style

A RETURN to Caulfield has brought out the best in Native Soldier, who outgunned his rivals to win the Caulfield Guineas Prelude.

Native Soldier left trainer Darren Weir disappointed with his fifth placing at Flemington on September 15.

Weir said racing around a bend, which he did in yesterday’s 1400m Guineas Prelude, was beneficial.

Well rated in front by Ben Allen, Native Soldier ($9) scored a two-length win over Tavisan ($8.50) with Long Leaf, backed from $8.50 to $5, a length away third.

He had his price slashed from $17 to $9 for the Caulfield Guineas on October 13.

Weir said the intention was to sit outside the leader but was not disappointed when Allen took up the lead.

Questioned whether Native Soldier will handle the 1600m of the Guineas, he said the colt would need to do everything right.

“But it’s a pretty good race to be trying it in,” he said.

“If he could win a Group 1 race I’m sure there’d be a lot of interest in him.” MEANWHILE, Smart Melody has maintained her unbeaten record with a strong on-pace victory in the Thousand Guineas Prelude.

Smart Melody was sent off the $2.10 favourite and scored a length victory over Thrillster ($15) in the Group 3 race.

El Dorado Dreaming ($8) was a further length further back at her first outing for Newcastle trainer Kris Lees.

The three-year-old fillies carved out the 1400m in 1.22.73, 0.63 sec quicker than the colts and geldings.

Lees said while the logical choice was to step Smart Melody up to 1600m of the Thousand Guineas on October 13, he would first assess the filly’s condition.

“I’ll watch the videos a few times and see how she pulls up but we’ve still got a lot of positives there,” he said.

“She’s a big imposing filly taking on these three-yearolds.

“Going from 1100m straight to 1400m she raced without cover but she had a good run for Brenton (Avdulla) and when he let her go at the top of the straight she put a nice gap on them.

“In the last furlong she was probably running on empty a touch but she still held them quite comfortably.”