Nature Strip Undisputed Champion Turf Sprinter of the World

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday June 14

Thanks to Covid and the massive prizemoney on offer in Australia, it’s been a while since an Australian bred and trained sprinter has had the opportunity to dazzle on the world stage and Nature Strip showed last night exactly why we have the reputation for producing the best sprinters in the world.

Facing an elite field of sprinters that included leading US contender Golden Pal, the Chris Waller trained Nicconi gelding was in a class of his own.

Advertisement

He turned the Group I King’s Stand Stakes (5f) at Royal Ascot into a procession, charging away from the pack under James McDonald to win by four and a half lengths with the only rival in attendance the riderless horse Khaadem.

While race favourited Golden Pal blew the start, rising 8YO Nature Strip rose to the occasion and executed his race plan to perfection.

“That was pretty good. I got a bit of a scare at the 50 when the horse came to me with no rider on,” said James McDonald.

“The way Nature Strip quickened on the rise and executed his gallop was an unbelievable feeling coming up that rise. I didn't think any horse could cope with him so when a horse did come to him I was so surprised, but it was a relief there was no jockey on.

“He is a brilliant horse. We've had an unbelievable year and this is the icing on a very big cake. I don't think Chris could have him better for this race as he was in such unbelievable form before he even left Australia. Chris knows him like the back of his hand and he just made sure he was so right for the day. It's been a big build up to get here - Ascot's been talked about for a few years now - so for him to come here and do that is just unbelievable.”

"To win, it means a lot– I'd put this in my top five [winners]," Chris Waller said.

"We don't get the chance to come up here and take on these horses too often, so that's pretty special. It was breathtaking. It was a good display and he's a good horse – and he has been for a long time.

"It's a very important victory. Australia's got a huge breeding and racing industry and we want to show the world our breeding and racing industries are important. We like to remind everybody of the power of Australia."

Australian Horse of the Year in 2019-2020 and Champion Australian Sprinter in 2020-2021 and reigning Everest winner, Nature Strip has the imposing record of 21 wins and eight placings from 38 starts with prizemoney topping $18million.

Champion in the making, Nature Strip as a yearling.

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 ran in the 2020 Royal Ascot King’s Stand Stakes finishing fourth to Equiano.

He has something in common with the last Australian bred and trained winner of the King’s Stand Stakes in the 2012 heroine Black Caviar as both are from mares by Desert Sun.

Nicconi stands at Widden Stud Victoria at a fee of $22,000 and last year covered 118 mares.
 

Advertisment
More Reading...
2YO Stakes Racing – Sale Mail
Three stakes races for new season juveniles add plenty of interest to a stellar day of racing this Saturday in Sydney and Melbourne, so let’s take a look at the Sale Mail for these races.
Blueblood Fillies From $3million Mares
Tom Magnier has been notable for his purchase of elite race fillies and broodmares in recent years to enhance the stellar Coolmore broodmare band and two of his $3million plus mare purchases have produced stunning fillies this spring.
Recent success highlights Inglis Digital October (Early) Sale
A range of exciting racing and breeding prospects – as well as a number of in-form racehorses and shares in Stakes winners – headline the Inglis Digital October (Early) Online Sale.
New Stakes-Winner for Zoustar
The $150,000 Listed Hannan’s Handicap (1400m) provided reigning champion sire Zoustar with a new stakes-winner when seven year-old gelding Multinational led for home and could not be caught.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
We had three heats for 2YO’s run at Warwick Farm on Friday morning over 815m with winners by Farnan, Ole Kirk and Kia Ora Stud’s first season sire Captivant, while Stay Inside had an impressive trial winner at Murray Bridge.
Captivant Colt Shines at Warwick Farm Trials
Captivant’s burgeoning reputation for producing precocious 2YOs took another leap forward at today’s Warwick Farm trials, with Courthezon powering to victory in Heat 10.
Who Was Flight?
A G1 race since 1984, the Flight Stakes is a race won by special fillies - often the ones who go on to do extraordinary things on the track against all comers as older mares and that's as it should be as Hall Of Fame legend Flight exemplified that style of thoroughbred.
Kiwi Sires a Recipe for NZB Ready to Run Sale Success
Much of the NZB Ready to Run Sale’s extraordinary success has been underpinned by the stallions that have stood in New Zealand in recent decades.
Milan Park Experience Highs and Lows
Tony Rider experienced the extreme highs and lows of breeding thoroughbreds within a matter of hours on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 2
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.