Two
lightly raced speedsters in Nature Strip (Nicconi) and Sprightly Lass posted
the biggest winning margins of the night on Friday at Moonee Valley.
Prepared by Robert Smerdon, three year-old gelding Nature Strip was having his
third start and lived up to punters expectation when bolting away to win the
1000 metre Benchmark 70 for three year-olds event by five and a half lengths as
hot favourite.
Winning rider Ryan Maloney believes Nature Strip can develop into a Group
horse.
"He's a class three year-old," he said.
Passed in at Inglis Premier when offered by Golden Grove, Nature Strip is a
half-brother to stakes-winner The Barrister, who was subsequently sold to Hong
Kong.
With two wins and a second from three starts, he is the third winner from Group
III winning Desert Sun (GB) mare Strikeline.
Saluting in the next race, a Benchmark 70 event for mares over 1000 metres was undefeated
Sprightly Lass.
The Hawkes Racing trained daughter of Snitzel made it three wins in as many
starts when coasting home to win by more than three lengths.
A $250,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Luskin Park draft, she runs for a syndicate
that includes her co-breeder Paul Whelan and has already won over $60,000 in
prizemoney.
Sprightly Lass is a full sister to stakes-winner Le Cordon Bleu from
stakes-winner Ultimate Fever.