Brilliant Nature Strip Back to Best

Tara Madgwick - Saturday April 10

Glamour sprinter Nature Strip made it back to back wins in the Group I ATC TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday on his way to racking up $8million in earnings.

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Nature Strip was simply glorious!  - image Steve Hart.

A six year-old gelding by Nicconi, the Chris Waller trained sprinter can be a little enigmatic, but there’s no doubting when he’s good, he’s very good and today was one of those days.

Ridden perfectly by regular partner James McDonald, Nature Strip sat off perennial rival Eduardo and dropped him cold over the final furlongs.

Up and coming sprinter Masked Crusader charged home for second some two lengths back with Eduardo a brave third.



“He could not have worked any better on Tuesday morning and he’s been faultless this preparation, so I was so excited to be riding him today,” said James McDonald, who indicated Nature Strip could measure up to the world’s best sprinters.

“I wouldn’t mind a little trip to Ascot!”

We'd all love to see Nature Strip and JMac in action at Royal Ascot!
Nature Strip has the overall record of 16 wins and five seconds from 30 starts with earnings of $8million.

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 was covered by Shamus Award last spring.

Nature Strip is the best performer for Widden Stud’s Nicconi, who will relocate to Widden Stud Victoria this spring.

 

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Race Result - Heineken T J Smith Stks Gr1 1200m

Randwick Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:10.09
1
Nature Strip
- 6g Nicconi (AUS) x Strikeline (AUS) (Desert Sun (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 58.5
Nicconi
2
2.0
Masked Crusader
- 4g Toronado (IRE) x She's Got Gears (AUS) (Invincible Spirit (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: K Mc Evoy 58.5
3
2.8
Eduardo
- 7g Host (CHI) x Blushing (AUS) (Fantastic Light (USA))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: B Avdulla 58.5
4
6.0
Zoutori
- 5g Zoustar (AUS) x Atotori (AUS) (Haradasun (AUS))
Tnr: M Ellerton & S Zahra Rdr: L Currie 58.5
5
6.6
Bivouac
- 4h Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Dazzler (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J Bowman 58.5
6
7.3
Eleven Eleven
- 4g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Smokin' Alice (USA) (Smoke Glacken (USA))
Tnr: G D Hickman Rdr: K S Latham 58.5
7
7.6
Dirty Work
- 4h Written Tycoon (AUS) x Maidel (AUS) (Ad Valorem (USA))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Damian Lane 58.5
8
9.7
Libertini
- 4m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Aloha (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: A J Cummings Rdr: Tommy Berry 56.5
9
12.7
Order Of Command
- 6g Squamosa (AUS) x Commanding Angel (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: D Oliver 58.5
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