Everest Favourite Nature Strip Leads the Inglis Charge

Media Release - Sunday September 5

The World’s Best Sprinter returned in style, a Ready2Race graduate announced himself a spring star-in-waiting and a pair of lightly raced 5YOs secured deserving first Stakes wins.

That was the tale of the tape of a big 24 hours of black type racing for Inglis graduates and clients as the spring carnival kicks into overdrive.

Champion sprinter Nature Strip (Nicconi) led the way, resuming with an effortless all-the-way victory in today’s G3 Concorde Stakes at Randwick.

Nature Strip wins the G3 Concorde in a breeze - image Steve Hart.

Such was the ease of the victory of the Chris Waller-trained 7YO, Nature Strip firmed into a $4.50 TAB outright favourite for the $15m The Everest in six weeks, where he will represent the Waller Racing slot.

Nature Strip, a Premier Yearling Sale offering by his breeder Golden Grove Stud, has now won 17 of his 31 career starts for $8.1m in earnings.

He defeated Easter talent Wild Ruler today in an Inglis graduates’ Stakes quinella.

Winning trainer Chris Waller said: “He’s come back so well, he’s had a trouble-free prep and he looks likes he’s in for a big spring.

Advertisement

“He raced a lot more tractably today, he allowed Wild Ruler and Trekking to be in his sights and I actually thought when he topped the rise and Wild Ruler was still on the bridle that he might come with us but it was great to see him show that acceleration.’’

Nature Strip will likely have one more run ahead of The Everest, in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick in a month.

It wasn’t only at Randwick where feature race quinellas were achieved by Inglis graduates.

At Moonee Valley, Express Pass (Gold Yearling Sale) defeated Bella Nipotina (Premier Yearling Sale) in the Listed Chautauqua Stakes.

Express Pass - image Racing Photos

It was a first Stakes success for the consistent Express Pass, who was already G2 placed behind G1 performer Dalasan in the Danehill Stakes at just his third career start.

His trainer Nick Ryan teamed up with JJ Consultants at the Gold Sale to purchase Express Pass (Wandjina) for just $38,000 from the Blue Gum Farm draft.

The win was his sixth overall and takes his earnings to $330,000.

It continued a strong start to the spring carnival for Blue Gum graduates of Inglis sales, following the win of Bruckner – the 2020 sale-topping colt at Premier – in last weekend’s G3 McNeil Stakes.

Earlier in the Moonee Valley program a Ready2Race graduate announced himself a horse of carnival significance with a barnstorming come-from-behind victory.

Forgot You (Savabeel) is a $330,000 buy for his trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young from the Ohukia Lodge draft at last year’s Inglis Ready2Race Sale and the future looks bright for the untapped 3YO.

In winning, Forgot You surged into the third line of TAB betting for the G1 Victoria Derby at $15, to be run at Flemington on October 30.

Jamie Beatson of Ohukia Lodge will present a six-strong draft at this year’s Ready2Race Sale in October, for which the breeze ups begin in less than a fortnight.

To view the catalogue, CLICK HERE.

And yesterday at Wyong the consistent mare More Prophets (Smart Missile) scored a deserving and valuable first black type success when victorious in the Listed Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong.

The 5YO is trained by John Thompson and raced by Bell River Thoroughbreds and the Ferguson family and clients, having been through the Classic Yearling Sale for Yarraman Park.

It was a fifth career win for More Prophets and took her earnings to almost $300,000.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Sires With Winners - Saturday November 2
Here is the full list of 137 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Melbourne Cup Tips – Tara Talks Racing
Tara Talks Racing is now online having had a Sunday arvo drink or two as we go through the Cup horses, so what do Clocker and I like for this year’s Melbourne Cup?
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!