Native Soldier storms clear at Moonee Valley (Image: Racing Photos)
The Darren Weir-trained Native Soldier put paid to the Turf Legends Board Game Plate (1000m) field with consummate ease on Friday night.
Carrying the Australian silks accompanying every horse with the number one saddlecloth, Brad Rawiller took a sit on the Sepoy colt - and it paid huge dividends as Native Soldier ran away with the race late from the Chris Waller-trained Phoneme.
Weir said it didn't exactly go to plan as they felt Native Soldier, at start four and coming off a maiden win at Geelong on Boxing Day, would be up on the speed - but it didn't matter.
WATCH: Darren Weir post-race
Native Soldier is a $67 chance with CrownBet for the $1.5million Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes.
WATCH: Native Soldier's strong Valley win