Before they were famous: Nature Strip

In this series TDN AusNZ will take a look at Group 1 runners before they were successful on the racetrack; speaking to breeders, breakers and trainers on their formative years. Today, we take a look at TAB's runner for The Everest, Nature Strip.

Nature Strip

Nicconi x Strikeline (Desert Sun {GB})

Winner - G1 TJ Smith S. 1200m

Winner - G1 Darley Sprint Classic 1200m

Winner - G1 Charter Keck Cramer Moir S. 1000m

Winner - G1 Ooh Media Galaxy 1100m

Winner - G2 Hyland Race Colours Challenge 1000m

Winner - G2 Rubiton S. 1100m

Winner - G2 Mitty's McEwen S. 1000m

TDN AusNZ: Nature Strip is obviously a fantastic flag bearer for Golden Grove, what does a horse like him mean to the farm?

Grant McKay, Golden Grove Stud: Producing horses like Nature Strip, is why we do what we do. Everyone wants that fairytale of producing Group horses and we have been lucky enough to do so, and with Golden Grove now operating as an agistment farm, it gives our clients, a real sense of what we are striving for each and every day.

TDN AusNZ: What were your first thoughts when he was announced as the world's best sprinter in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings and now that he has been named Australian Horse of the Year?

GMK: Knowing that Golden Grove played a part in producing this exceptional racehorse, is very humbling. To produce a horse that can perform at the highest level is one thing but to produce one that would go on to be named Longines World’s Best Sprinter, is unbelievable and very surreal.

TDN AusNZ: What do you believe to be the best win of his career so far?

GMK: For me, it has to be watching him down the Flemington straight, in the 2019 Darley Sprint. This was a quality field and he treated them with utter contempt.

TDN AusNZ: How do you think he will perform in The Everest?

GMK: If Nature Strip is left alone in front and with his high cruising speed, he will be extremely hard to run down and both Chris and James will have him primed to do so.

The sales company

TDN AusNZ: What was it about the horse that first struck you as a yearling?

Simon Vivian, Inglis Victorian Bloodstock Manager: Nature Strip was first inspected in July 2015 as a weanling. He had good leg and scope but really developed through the spring of 2015 and the first months of 2016.

TDN AusNZ: Can you please describe him physically and explain why he was selected for the Sale?

SV: He had good size, good strength and an excellent shoulder. It was noted that he had a good hip and hindquarter and was a very good mover. From those early days he has continued to develop into a most imposing individual with massive strength.

TDN AusNZ: What about his pedigree? What aspect of his page piqued Inglis’ interest?

SV: He was by a former outstanding sprinter in Nicconi and from a quality running mare in Strikeline. She won six races and over $500,000 including three black-type races. Additionally, she was by Desert Sun (GB), also the dam sire of Black Caviar.

TDN AusNZ: Could you foresee his success then?

SV: When we offer yearlings for sale we only hope that they can develop into champions. He had the pedigree and physique to be a runner but no-one could foresee his ability. He was a popular horse on inspections and I know Troy Corstens was really keen on him.

The training team

TDN AusNZ: What was your first impression of the horse upon arriving in your care?

Charlie Duckworth, Chris Waller Racing: Physically he is a very imposing horse, he's got plenty of height about him with a massive strong shoulder, in terms of a physical specimen he was outstanding when he arrived and still is. He of course came with all the hype around him which was quite exciting, receiving a horse that has already been so competitive around feature races. So my first impression was pretty good.

TDN AusNZ: How soon did you see something special in the horse?

CD: We actually were watching him before he arrived in our care, as we have control of an Everest slot and he was on our radar early on, and it didn't take much to be able to see his talent. When he arrived with us he was such a keen going horse, and we tried to harness that speed, and to try and ride him a little bit more conservatively to help him finish strongly. When we saw his first gallop we knew we had something pretty special.

TDN AusNZ: Does he have any traits that standout to you?

CD: When he arrived for us he would get to the 600 metre mark and basically want to go from zero to 100 in all of his work, and then as soon as his work was over he would just walk to and from the track like an absolute dobbin, so I always thought that was really interesting. Naturally he is a very chilled out guy, but when it comes to gallop time he sort of works himself up more than anything. We’ve spent the past two years working on getting him to relax into his racing more, and now he is doing better than ever.

TDN AusNZ: Is he a team favourite? Does he have a regular work rider?

CD: Without question, yes. Everybody loves him. Stuart Williams travelled down to Melbourne last spring with him and is his regular work rider, and they have a good connection together.

TDN AusNZ: What is his career highlight to date?

CD: I think his win up the straight at Flemington in spring was massive. It sort of knocked the doubters saying that he couldn't stay 1200 metres and he obviously stays 1200 metres no problems at all. I think the way he did it, he absolutely annihilated a top class field, it’s probably everyone's favourite win.

TDN AusNZ: What do you think about him being crowned Longines World's Best Sprinter and now that he has been named Australian Horse of the Year?

CD: It's pretty cool to be recognised as the best in any category but I think in Australia where there's such an emphasis on sprinters it just makes it that little bit more special.