Nature Strip Wins The Everest

Chris Waller trained his second Everest winner as Nature Strip won Australia’s richest race on turf at the third attempt at Randwick on Saturday.

Nature Strip ($3.70 favourite) and Eduardo ($4.20) were heavily supported in betting to win the $15 million sprint and both market leaders were sent forward in search of the lead, with Home Affairs ($12) holding the rail through the first half of the race.

James McDonald controlled the pace aboard Nature Strip, racing at the girth of stablemate Home Affairs ($12), and then moved into the lead upon straightening, opening a two-length break on Eduardo with 200 metres remaining.

Masked Crusader ($12), who was the slowest to leave the barriers, weaved a passage through from last under Tommy Berry to give Nature Strip a late fright but fell short of victory by a long head.

“He’s got the highest rating as a sprinter for a reason, that gave me some confidence and he’s justified it today,” Waller said.

“When he crossed the line it certainly hit home that it’s a big race that is taking over Australia.”

Waller said Nature Strip, pending a positive recovery from The Everest, will have his next start in the $2m Group 1 VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 6.

Unplaced in his two previous Everest starts, Nature Strip provided Waller with his second win after Yes Yes Yes succeeded in race-record time two years ago, while McDonald joins Kerrin McEvoy (three wins) and Glen Boss on the Everest honour roll as winning riders.

– racing.com

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