Nature Strip and Zaaki expected to kick off spring campaigns at Randwick on Saturday

Chelmsford Stakes day at Randwick has drawn a strong list of nominations, headlined by stars of the turf Nature Strip and Zaaki.

James McDonald win the TJ Smith Stakes on Nature Strip. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Group 1 racing is absent this Saturday but there’s no shortage in class going around with stars of the turf Nature Strip and Zaaki set to resume.

Nature Strip, the $5 equal favourite for The Everest, headlines 11 nominations taken for Saturday’s Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m).

Chris Waller has kicked the five time Group 1 winner off in the 1000m contest in the past two years where he’s gone under as a short priced favourite to Redzel and Gytrash respectively. He’ll likely open skinny odds again on Saturday.

Waller has also nominated his Group 1 winning mare September Run to return in the sprinting contest while James Cummings is expected to kick off another campaign for veteran galloper Trekking.

Wild Ruler is another that could make a return and trainers Peter and Paul Snowden will be hoping for a big performance from their top seed for October’s $15m feature.

Wild Ruler starts his bid for a #TABEverest slot taking out the opening trial at @hawkesburyrc on Monday (finish line the start of the red fence marking) downing Adelong with Trekking a close third. Also in the trial was Group 1 winner Duais. @[e-mail]/YwN13cpodx

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 22, 2021

Meanwhile, Cox Plate favourite Zaaki is among the 14 entries taken for the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m).

Annabel Neasham could launch a double pronged attack on the race with stakes-winning import Fourhometwo also among the nominations.

Form behind Duais stood up at Kembla last Saturday and Ed Cummings’ star mare is set to return while Dreamforce has won the last two editions of the Tramway and gets the chance to join rare company with a third.

Think It Over had plenty against him first-up will get the chance to atone on Saturday in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m).

Kolding and Queensland Derby winner Kukeracha highlights the six nominations from the Waller brigade while Bjorn Baker will take another step towards The Metropolitan with star mare She’s Ideel.

Doncaster Mile victor Cascadian is also among the entries for the mile feature along with German Group 1 winner Nancho and Montefilia.

Cascadian won the Group 1 Doncaster Mile during the autumn.

A total of 25 fillies have been entered for the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m), highlighted by Thousand Guineas favourite Argentia.

Randwick is currently rated a soft (7) however that is expected to improve with sunny weather forecast in Sydney this week.

The rail will be in the six metre position for the entire circuit. CLICK HERE to view all the nominations for Randwick on Saturday.

Originally published as Nature Strip and Zaaki expected to kick off spring campaigns at Randwick on Saturday