Chris Waller says Nature Strip went too fast in disappointing Premiere Stakes run
Nature Strip was one of the hot favourites to win the Premiere Stakes in the lead-up to The Everest but after a disappointing run, is trainer Chris Waller worried about his chances? He reveals what went wrong.
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Classique Legend was three-wide for most of the race and was brave in defeat but what do we make of Nature Strip?
Trainer Chris Waller said he felt Nature Strip went too fast early and likened the defeat to the sprinter’s unplaced Lightning Stakes run earlier this year.
Nature Strip has often rebounded from an indifferent run during his career and Waller certainly believes all is not lost for The Everest.
It is worth noting the stewards report which revealed that Nature Strip underwent an endoscopic examination after the race was found to have a “degree of mucopus in his trachea”
Waller advised stewards that Nature Strip has been placed on a course of antibiotics to treat the respiratory condition.
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Despite the Nature Strip disappointment and two close Group 1 seconds with Hungry Heart (Flight Stakes) and Funstar (Epsom Handicap), Waller had another successful day with eight winners at four venues including the Group 2 Hill Stakes with Kolding and the Group 3 Breeders Plate with Shaquero at Randwick.
Waller also had a treble of wins at Eagle Farm and another winner at Newcastle, saved his best result the Flemington meeting where he trained the trifecta in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes with Verry Elleegant narrowly Toffee Tongue and Finche. Their stablemate September Run won the Listed Poseidon Stakes.
Verry Elleegant and Toffee Tongue showed they are right on track for the Caulfield Cup while Finche produced a pleasing Melbourne Cup trial.
GYTRASH IMPRESSES IN TRIAL
Gytrash’s Everest campaign continues without interruption with the Adelaide sprinter galloping brilliantly at Warwick Farm on Saturday morning.
Some independent observers watched Gytrash’s workout and timed the sprinter to run his final 200m sectional in a flying 10.2s.
Trainer Gordon Richards is likely to give the Everest favourite an exhibition gallop between races at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
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Originally published as Chris Waller says Nature Strip went too fast in disappointing Premiere Stakes run