Nature Strip Third Time Lucky in Everest

The Chris Waller-trained Nature Strip  gave a grandstand of spectators fresh out of lockdown something to cheer about Oct. 16 when he finally put his TAB Everest (G1) ghosts to bed with a thrilling victory in the AU$15 million race at Randwick.

The gelding was taking aim at the lucrative sprint for the third time in his career, having run fourth in 2019, while he finished down the field in seventh in last year's edition of the 1,200-meter (about six-furlong) contest.

Ridden by James McDonald, the gelding tracked a wide course to lead, before racing clear at the top of the straight. He looked to have

the race at his mercy halfway down the straight, but Masked Crusader finished strongly and the gelding had to dig deep to repel that rival's advances, eventually beating him by a short neck.

Eduardo was the same distance away in third, while last year's winner Classique Legend came home in fifth—two lengths off the winner.

It was McDonald's first Everest win and the champion jockey said the straight at Randwick had never felt as long as it did Saturday.

"You have no idea, it felt like a minute," McDonald said. "When I crossed the line I thought I hung on, then Tommy (Berry on Masked Crusader) said, 'Who got it?'

"It was pretty close, too close for comfort. He just showed so much grit and determination. He is a star."

It was Waller's second win in the AU$15 million race, having sent out now Coolmore Stud-based sire Yes Yes Yes to win the race in 2019 and he said this victory was up there with one of the best moments of his glittering career.

"It's right up there," Waller said. "It's just a great race. It has captured the imagination of so many people, inside racing and out, and what better way to get out of COVID.

"He got the highest-rated sprinter in the world for a reason and that gave me some confidence. He's probably justified it today."

In winning the race, Nature Strip chalked up his 18th victory from 33 starts—with six of them coming at top-flight level—and he has amassed AU$14,953,685 in prize money.

After the race, Waller was candid about the problems the gelding had experienced prior to his start in last year's feature.

"Last preparation we had a scope down his throat every third day," Waller said.

"Every time he raced he was bright, but after his races he'd struggle.

"He was constantly on antibiotics. You'd get him off antibiotics, ready for a race, try to get him right but it was all too much."

Waller also praised the role of McDonald, who has been Nature Strip's regular rider and a major player in teaching the once head-strong gelding to relax.

"He gets this horse to settle and it hasn't been just this week, it's been over three years and that horse just connects with him," Waller said. "Horses run for James. If he was in a Formula One car he'd be at the front of the grid."

Bred by Golden Grove Stud Farm, Nature Strip is one of three winners out of group 3-winning mare Strikeline (Desert Sun), making him a half brother to listed scorer The Barrister.

Strikeline herself is a daughter of listed winner Strike High and she produced a further four winners, including group 3 winner Bashful Girl.

Nature Strip is one of 23 stakes winners and the only elite-level winner for the Widden Stud-based sire Nicconi , who relocated to the stud's Victorian roster for the 2021 season where he is standing for a fee of AU$27,500 (including GST).