He’s Soldiering on

Wed, August 04 2010

BRILLIANT Red Centre speedster The Soldier called on all his star power for a tough success in yesterday's $35,000 Wolf Blass Lightning Plate (1000m).

Just two days after finishing sixth behind Lucid Reflection in the Palmerston Sprint, The Soldier produced his brilliant best under a searching 63kg impost to seal career win No. 18

The Soldier withstood a dogged challenge from plucky performer Bullant (Darren Gauci) for a long-neck victory in a sharp time of 56.28 seconds, just 0.18 of a second outside Lord Harold's track-record.

For victorious jockey Kim Gladwin, yesterday's triumph added another chapter to a phenomenal association with the seven-year-old son of Marwina.

"That's 15 I've won on him now," a delighted Gladwin said.

"That's probably one of his better wins. It's his quickest time on this track and a real good run by him.

The Soldier was made to work in the early stages by Wrencher and dug deep to earn the $23,100 first-prize purse as Bullant charged home late.

Delighted trainer Ken Rogerson is eyeing off further pursuits for his stable favourite, who boasts a 53 per cent winning strike-rate.

"He's won all of his money in the Territory.

"Its going to be hard now to find races up here for him," Rogerson said.

"You've got to have a lot of class to do what he's doing and have the type of record he has.

"I might have a go at taking him to Moonee Valley.

"I trained in Melbourne for 10 years and the old man and my daughter are down there, so it might be good to have a holiday down there."

Rogerson also paid tribute to Gladwin for what was a top-draw ride.

"Kimmy knows the horse so well. He rides him all the time at home and has a great opinion of him," he said.

Story Courtesy Gregor Mactaggart - NT News