Race favourite Nature Strip finishes gallant fourth in his defence of The Everest at Randwick

Trainer Chris Waller knew the moment Nature Strip was in trouble in The Everest as the defending champ finished a gallant fourth.

Nature Strip finished fourth in his defence of The Everest.

When old sparring partner Eduardo started to fade in the straight, trainer Chris Waller knew his champion sprinter Nature Strip could have a task in front of him to defend his $15m The TAB Everest crown.

The world’s best sprinter is a special thoroughbred but even he couldn’t sustain his usually unmatched speed after a tough run in the world’s richest turf race at Royal Randwick.

Bookies had made Nature Strip a clear $1.90 favourite to win his second The Everest with many believing only bad luck would beat him.

It proved to be the case.

OMG GIGA KICK HAS WON THE EVEREST! 😱@[e-mail]/iwamti2PyI

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 15, 2022

After jumping from the extreme outside in barrier 12, star jockey James McDonald was caught three deep in the run outside a hot speed set by Joyful Fortune and Eduardo to his inside.

Both of his fellow pacesetters faded, eventually finishing near the back, leaving Nature Strip alone in front a long way from home.

The son of Nicconi was entitled to get tired and did so late.

Nature Strip (left) sticks on gallantly for fourth place. Picture: Jenny Evans-Getty Images

He eventually missed the placings as the Clayton Douglas-trained three-year-old Giga Kick stormed home to score an unforgettable victory in a thrilling edition of The Everest.

“Barrier draws do make a difference and he has travelled a bit of extra ground,” Waller said.

“He has still run a courageous race.

“I thought he would be hard to beat (in the straight) but they had gone along and Eduardo dropped off pretty quick.

“When I saw Eduardo drop off I thought maybe they had gone a bit quick but James rode him perfectly.”

McDonald has travelled around the world to pilot Nature Strip and still had plenty of admiration for the eight-year-old in defeat.

He accepted the wide run had proven costly.

“I am very proud of him,” McDonald said.

“He ran really well. Obviously just off the course a bit and got taken wider on the bend.

“The race was done.”

Originally published as Race favourite Nature Strip finishes gallant fourth in his defence of The Everest at Randwick