Trainer Chris Waller still considering his options for Nature Strip next start
Champion Nature Strip will continue race his preparation this spring carnival despite his defeat in The Everest
Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller has confirmed champion sprinter Nature Strip will continue with his spring campaign despite defeat in The Everest at Royal Randwick last Saturday.
Nature Strip started the shortest favourite in Everest history at $1.90 and after enduring a wide run, he still looked the likely winner until fading near the line and finishing fourth, beaten less than a length behind Giga Kick.
“I thought Nature Strip was great, I doubt he will lose any admirers,’’ Waller said.
“The racing luck wasn’t with him. It looked like Eduardo might have been racing a little ungenerously, which is unlike him, so I hope he pulls up well, first and foremost.
“But the barrier draw didn’t help us (gate 12) where sometimes it does. With 50m to go he still looked likely to be a brave winner but just got ‘nutted’ on the line.’’
Waller said Nature Strip will have one more start this spring campaign but is yet to finalise the gelding’s program.
The options are the race named to honour his 2021 The Everest win, the $3m Nature Strip Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill in two weeks, or the $3m Darley Champions Sprint Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 5.
A boilover in the #TABEverest! 3-year-old Giga Kick comes from the clouds with @CWilliamsJockey in the saddle 🙌 pic.twitter.com/EajO5FmCO5
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 15, 2022
Waller has always wanted to test Nature Strip beyond 1200m so the Rosehill race is under consideration but the trainer is mindful of the chestnut’s outstanding straight track record at Flemington which includes two Darley Sprint Classic wins.
“Nature Strip will definitely run again but I will speak to (senior part-owner) Rod Lyons early this week and then decide where he races next,’’ Waller said.
Within an hour of Nature Strip’s Everest defeat, Waller had reason to celebrate again when Durston gave the trainer his second win in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup.
Durston, who finished fast to collar Gold Trip near the line, has 51.5kg in the Melbourne Cup but is eligible for a weight penalty. Racing Victoria handicappers are due to announce their decision on Monday.
“I always felt Durston was our number one seed for the Caulfield Cup but he needed to get a start and he needed the track to dry out,’’ Waller said. “We will press on to the Melbourne Cup now.’’
Durston has a chance to become only the 12th horse to complete the coveted Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double after Ethereal (2001), Might And Power (1997), Doriemus (1995), Let’s Elope (1991), Gurner’s Lane (1982), Galilee (1966), Even Stevens (1962), Rising Fast (1954), Rivette (1939), The Trump (1937) and Poseidon (1906).
The champion trainer prepared his fourth Group 1 winner of the season when Durston took out the Caulfield Cup to join Godolphin’s James Cummings on the top of the trainers’ Group 1 standings this season.
Waller is chasing more big-race success next weekend with the likelihood he could have three runners, Manzoice, Coppleson and Conqueror, in the Group 1 $2m Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick.
He indicated Espiona and Kiku are likely to contest the $2m The Invitation next Saturday but he is saving top four-year-old mares Hinged and Fangirl for the $10m Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on October 29.
Waller also has new stable recruit, French Group 1 winner El Bodegon, ready to take on the Cummings-trained superstar Anamoe in the $5m Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
“El Bodegon hasn’t missed a beat since he has been here,’’ said Waller, who won four Cox Plates with mighty mare Winx (2015-18). “That’s a great sign as he had done most of his work prior to getting on the plane.’’
Originally published as Trainer Chris Waller still considering his options for Nature Strip next start
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