Nature Strip Draws Far Outside Post in Everest Defense

The nine-time group 1-winning gelding Nature Strip  will have to overcome a wide draw if he is to land back-to-back runnings of the AU$15 million (US$9,440,250) The Tab Everest at Randwick Oct. 15.

The 8-year-old son of Nicconi  showcased his blistering speed out of Australian soil when comfortably winning the King's Stand Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot for Chris Waller. His connections decided to send Nature Strip back home rather than start in Newmarket's Darley July Cup (G1).

He has instead been prepared for the world's richest sprint, and captured the Sept. 17 Bowermans Shorts Stakes (G2) as a tune-up for the Everest.

Nature Strip will be sent off a short-priced favorite under James McDonald but has been given the widest draw of all in stall 12.

A victory in the Everest would catapult Nature Strip's racetrack earnings by AU$6.2 million to about AU$25.26 million ($15,898,897), which would bring him within sight of Winx's world record of AU$26.45 million ($19,726,457). He could then defend his Champions Sprint title at Flemington on Nov. 5.

Speaking to 7news after riding the world's highest-rated sprinter in trackwork on Thursday, McDonald said: "Couldn't be happier with him, he's feeling unbelievable. He's in really good form. He's bubbling, he's ready to explode."

On receiving the widest draw, he added: "I was quite pleased with it actually. I don't think the barrier is going to be too much of an issue for us."