Blazing Return for Nature Strip

Tara Madgwick - Saturday September 4

With $8million in earnings and Six Group I wins, seven year-old Nature Strip has won just about everything a sprinter in Australia can win barring the Everest and if things go to plan it might be third time lucky for the powerhouse chestnut after his blazing return on Saturday.

See you later alligator! - Nature Strip dashes clear in the G2 Concorde Stakes - image Steve Hat

Perfectly tuned up by Chris Waller for the Group III ATC Concorde Stakes (1000m), Nature Strip hit the ground running for his regular partner James McDonald and quickly found the front.

He was always in cruise control and surged clear to win by two and a half lengths over Wild Ruler, clocking a slick 56.66 seconds with his last 600m in 32.62.
 



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Not long after his win, TAB reacted by tightening his Everest quote from $5 to $4.50 favourite.

“He’s had a trouble free preparation and looks to be in for a good spring,” said Chris Waller.

“It was great to see him show that acceleration and put a gap in them.”

Nature Strip has the overall record of 17 wins and five seconds from 31 starts with earnings of $8.1million.

“I can safely say that's the best I've ever felt him first-up," McDonald said.

"I think the writing was on the wall with his last TJ win when they decided to take him on and that back-fired for them. He was able to take a sit and show that lethal turn of foot that he's got, but sustain (his) speed. 

"He is so balanced….he's just in a good frame of mind." 
 

Nature Strip in full flight - image Steve Hart.

Bred by Golden Grove, Nature Strip was passed in as a yearling and is a half-brother to stakes-winner The Barrister from Group III winning Desert Sun (GB) mare Strikeline, who was covered by Shamus Award last spring.

Nature Strip is the best performer for Widden Stud’s Nicconi, who has relocated to Widden Stud Victoria this spring and stands at a fee of $27,500.

Nicconi is a Premium stallion, click for more information.



 

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Race Result - Tab Concorde Stakes Gr3 1000m

Randwick Track: Good(4) Time: 0:56.66
1
Nature Strip
- 7g Nicconi (AUS) x Strikeline (AUS) (Desert Sun (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 60.5
Nicconi
2
2.5
Wild Ruler
- 4h Snitzel (AUS) x Gypsy Robin (USA) (Daaher (CAN))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: S Clipperton 59.5
3
3.0
Trekking
- 7g Street Cry (IRE) x Outdoor (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: K Mc Evoy 60
4
4.4
Handle The Truth
- 6g Star Witness (AUS) x Assertively (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: K R Dryden Rdr: J R Collett 57
5
4.7
Adelong
- 6m Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Snowgums (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: J Ford 55
6
4.9
Standout
- 5h Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Bahia (AUS) (Snippets (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: J Bowman 59
7
8.5
Standing Bear
- 5g Smart Missile (AUS) x Airways (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: A P Ball Rdr: Brock Ryan 56
8
18.4
Star Boy
- 7g Pluck (USA) x Cubana Moss (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: B F Cavanough Rdr: J Parr 56
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