Prepared by Robert Smerdon, three year-old gelding Nature Strip was having his third start and lived up to punters expectation when bolting away to win the 1000 metre Benchmark 70 for three year-olds event by five and a half lengths as hot favourite.
Winning rider Ryan Maloney believes Nature Strip can develop into a Group
horse."He's a class three year-old," he said.
Passed in at Inglis Premier when offered by Golden Grove, Nature Strip is a half-brother to stakes-winner The Barrister, who was subsequently sold to Hong Kong.
With two wins and a second from three starts, he is the third winner from Group III winning Desert Sun (GB) mare Strikeline.
Saluting in the next race, a Benchmark 70 event for mares over 1000 metres was undefeated Sprightly Lass.
The Hawkes Racing trained daughter of Snitzel made it three wins in as many starts when coasting home to win by more than three lengths.
A $250,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Luskin Park draft, she runs for a syndicate that includes her co-breeder Paul Whelan and has already won over $60,000 in prizemoney.
Sprightly Lass is a full sister to stakes-winner Le Cordon Bleu from stakes-winner Ultimate Fever.
