Brilliant Lightning Victory for Nature Strip

Tara Madgwick - Saturday February 13

Gifted jockey Jamie Kah brought her magic touch to enigmatic sprinter Nature Strip at Flemington on Saturday to bring out his best and win in the Group I VRC Lightning Stakes (1000m) over his fast finishing stablemate September Run.

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Nature Strip gives all he's got for Jamie Kah - image Reg Ryan / Racing Photos.

The 2019/20 Australian Racehorse of the Year, Nature Strip had a troubled spring campaign when nothing went right for the Chris Waller trained son of Nicconi with his best result coming with a well-held second to Bivouac in the Group I VRC Sprint Classic.

Kah had her first sit on Nature Strip in a jumpout last Friday and the encounter was enough to put her in charge of the powerhouse sprinter come race day.
 



“He was in a good mood. He was in a good mood when I trialled him. I think he’s just getting better with age,” said Kah, who felt the absence of a crowd packed atmosphere played in her favour..

“The team has done an amazing job and I’m the lucky one to be on him.”

Nature Strip gets there first - image Reg Ryan/ Racing Photos.

Kah was happy to sit quietly on Nature Strip early in the $750,000 sprint, letting dual Group I winner Pippie set a quick tempo for the first 600m, before getting busy on the gelding in the last 400m.

He surged clear and then held off a late charge from three year-old filly September Run to win by half a length.

Nature Strip - image George Salpigtidis / RAcing Photos.

Nature Strip has the overall record of 15 wins and four seconds from 28 starts with earnings of $6.3million.

Bred by Golden Grove, Nature Strip was passed in as a yearling and is a half-brother to stakes-winner The Barrister from Group III winning Desert Sun (GB) mare Strikeline, who has not had a foal since 2016, but was covered by shamus Award last spring.

Nature Strip is the best performer for Widden Stud’s Nicconi, who is enjoying a terrific yearling sales season with his 23 yearlings sold so far this year averaging $106,826.

 

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Race Result - Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Gr1 1000m

Flemington Track: Good(3) Time: 0:56.91
1
Nature Strip
- 6g Nicconi (AUS) x Strikeline (AUS) (Desert Sun (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Jamie Kah 58.5
Nicconi
2
0.5
September Run
- 3f Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Pittsburgh Flyer (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Craig Williams 53.5
3
1.8
Swats That
- 3f Shamus Award (AUS) x Is It A Mosquito (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: L & T Corstens Rdr: Jye McNeil 53.5
4
2.5
Fabergino
- 6m Maschino (AUS) x Miss Razyana (AUS) (Danzero (AUS))
Tnr: Tiarnna Robertson Rdr: Michael Poy 56.5
5
2.6
Bivouac
- 4h Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Dazzler (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: G Boss 58.5
6
4.1
Pippie
- 5m Written Tycoon (AUS) x Coupe Express (AUS) (Ne Coupez Pas (USA))
Tnr: Chris Meagher Rdr: Damian Lane 56.5
7
7.1
Halvorsen
- 5g Magnus (AUS) x Flourishing (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: L Currie 58.5
8
12.1
Elite Street
- 4g Street Boss (USA) x Elite Ateates (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: D L Morton Rdr: M Zahra 58.5
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