Third G1 TJ Smith for Nature Strip

Tara Madgwick - Saturday April 2

Seven year-old Nicconi gelding Nature Strip is a sight to behold when he’s at his best and we saw that at Randwick on Saturday when he strolled away with the $2.5million  Group I ATC TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) for the third year in a row posting his biggest winning margin yet in the $2.5 million sprint.

Advertisement

Nature Strip wins his third G1 TJ Smith Stakes - image Steve Hart

Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by James McDonald as he was in the previous two years, Nature Strip jumped from the outside gate in the field of 11 and was never troubled winning by three lengths over perennial foe Eduardo and gallant 3YO Paulele.

He won by three and a quarter lengths taking his overall record to 20 wins and eight placings from 32 starts with earnings a whisker shy of $18million.


His three wins in the Group I TJ Smith Stakes equalled the effort of Chautauqua, who won it in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and there is no reason to think he couldn’t come back and win it again in 2023.

Nature Strip was beaten at his first two runs this preparation finishing an unlucky second to Home Affairs in the Group I VRC Lightning Stakes and then third in the Group II ATC Challenge Stakes behind Eduardo and Shelby Sixtysix, who finished seventh today.

Nature Strip charges clear - image Steve Hart

"We took it a bit cheap last start, we got him to button off and relax but he's actually got to put a bit of pressure on them," Waller said.

"Nature Strip's biggest arsenal is to put the others out of their comfort zone early.

"He is a better horse in the autumn and he's a good horse over 1200 metres."

The world beckons for Nature Strip with a trip with stablemate Home Affairs to Royal Ascot in the planning followed by a defence of his Everest crown.

"I'm sure the main aim is to have him back here for the Everest and if we can shoot over and see our friends at Royal Ascot it would be pretty special," Waller said.

"It's good to be taking the right horses and these two are the best sprinters in Australia. 

"It would be nice if they could both get there. It's still a long way off." 

James McDonald and Nature Strip are a great partnership - image Steve Hart

James McDonald has forged a remarkable partnership with Nature Strip riding him in 10 of his 20 wins.

"It's just unbelievable isn't it? Three of them," McDonald said.

"He's got the Everest, he's won everything in Australia. He's just an incredible, incredible horse. 

"This one, I don't know, it feels just surreal. I just sort of feel numb because the horse is just a marvel." 

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 according to studbook.

Nature Strip is the best performer for Widden Stud’s Nicconi, who relocated to Widden Stud Victoria last year and covered 118 mares at a fee of $27,500.


 

Advertisment

Race Result - Furphy T J Smith Stks Gr1 1200m

Randwick Track: Heavy(9) Time: 1:12.33
1
Nature Strip
- 7g Nicconi (AUS) x Strikeline (AUS) (Desert Sun (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 58.5
Nicconi
2
3.3
Eduardo
- 8g Host (CHI) x Blushing (AUS) (Fantastic Light (USA))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: N Rawiller 58.5
3
4.3
Paulele
- 3c Dawn Approach (IRE) x Chatoyant (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Jamie Kah 56.5
4
5.3
Belluci Babe
- 5m Per Incanto (USA) x Savamour (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: J Parr 56.5
5
5.4
Overpass
- 3c Vancouver (AUS) x Walkway (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Tim Clark 56.5
6
6.4
Zoutori
- 6g Zoustar (AUS) x Atotori (AUS) (Haradasun (AUS))
Tnr: M J Ellerton Rdr: Damian Lane 58.5
7
6.5
Shelby Sixtysix
- 5g Toronado (IRE) x Storm Kite (AUS) (Honours List (IRE))
Tnr: D A Williams Rdr: Tommy Berry 58.5
8
9.3
Rule Of Law
- 4g Snitzel (AUS) x Helena's Secret (USA) (Five Star Day (USA))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: B Avdulla 58.5
9
11.2
Masked Crusader
- 5g Toronado (IRE) x She's Got Gears (AUS) (Invincible Spirit (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: W Pike 58.5
10
11.3
Roch 'n' Horse
- 5m Per Incanto (USA) x Rochfort (NZ) (Cecconi (AUS))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: J Bowman 56.5
11
14.4
Count De Rupee
- 4g Real Impact (JPN) x Timeless Choice (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: R & L Price Rdr: Brock Ryan 58.5
More Reading...
Brendan Lindsay honoured - Knights of the Cambridge Stud roundtable
The Cambridge Stud legacy continues to grow, with current co-principal Brendan Lindsay appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King's Birthday Honours for his services to business and philanthropy.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 3
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Pencarrow Stud hits a hundred winners in stellar season
Pencarrow Stud has celebrated an outstanding achievement with a century of homebred winners for the season.
Pride of Jenni to Visit I Am Invincible - Match Made in Heaven
Three-time Champion Sire I Am Invincible has been confirmed as the first mating for reigning Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year Pride Of Jenni, who will head to the breeding barn this season following a phenomenal racing career.
One to Watch – Echuca
Twin Hills Stud’s Peltzer had an impressive winner at Echuca on Tuesday for his breeder Olly Tait.
$1500 Weanling Becomes $525,000 Top Lot at MM National Yearling Finale
A colt by Harry Angel set a new benchmark in Australia for his sire and topped the final day of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale when selling for $525,000 to conclude a hugely successful two weeks of sales.
Impressive First Winner for St Marks Basilica
Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) was the 2021 European Horse of the Year and the son of Siyouni is on the board as a sire with his first winner after Rogue Supremacy scored an impressive debut victory.
Pony Racing Series Finals This Saturday
The excitement is building as the 2025 National Pony Racing Series Finals prepare to take centre stage at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Saturday, 7 June, showcasing the nation's most promising young riders and their ponies.
G3 Fred Best Showdown for Quality Colts – Rosemont vs Yulong
The rescheduled $300,000 Group III BRC Fred Best Classic (1350m) brings stakes racing to a Wednesday this week with a field of 17 to go around at Doomben and at the head of the market is a pair of quality colts.
Inglis Internship applications open
An opportunity to work with Australia’s most progressive thoroughbred auction house has become available through the renowned Inglis Internship program.