Written by Trent Masenhelder
Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
On the first day of spring, Canterbury Park played host to 20 trials on Thursday, with a host of the nation’s best sprinters lining up in Heat 1.
One of those was multiple Group 1 winner and reigning The Everest Champion Nature Strip (Nicconi). The Chris Waller-trained 8-year-old faced stiff competition in the 900-metre trial, with Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt), September Run (Exceed And Excel) and Overpass (Vancouver) all engaged.
The Bjorn Baker-trained Overpass led throughout and won the heat in 55.49s on a Soft 7 surface.
Nature Strip showed no ill effects from his mid-year trip to the UK, where he conquered the G1 King’s Stand S. at Royal Ascot, cruising under James McDonald to finish 1.27l behind Overpass in second.
Rod Lyons, a managing part-owner of Nature Strip, said everything went to plan.
“The feedback was all positive from both James (McDonald) and Chris (Waller); they were both delighted with the trial and couldn’t be happier,” Lyons told Racing.com.
Lyons admitted Nature Strip has thrived since returning from London.
“Chris is just absolutely delighted with him; he feels that he actually needs to put the brakes on a bit because he’s come back so well. He hasn’t got a winter coat, the weather was so good over in the UK, so it was like a holiday for him,” he said.
“Chris is just absolutely delighted with him (Nature Strip); he feels that he actually needs to put the brakes on a bit because he’s come back so well.” - Rod Lyons
Lyons confirmed Nature Strip will resume in the G2 The Shorts (1100 metres) on Saturday, September 17. He will then have a trial ahead of a crack at defending his The Everest title on October 15.
Behind Nature Strip was 2020 The Everest champion Classique Legend. He finished 3.87l adrift of the winner.
Lost And Running was given an easy time of it and came home fourth, beaten 5.09l, while September Run finished last, 8.81l behind Overpass.
Heats 2 - and open trial over 1100 metres – was won by Group 2 victor Mr Mozart (Snitzel), who clocked 1:09.55, with his last 600 metres timed to 28.15s.
Mr Mozart (pink silks) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Unraced 3-year-old Magadan (Russian Revolution), who holds a Caulfield Guineas nomination, won Heat 6 – a 3YO+ maiden trial (1100 metres).
The Team Snowden-trained colt made $150,000 from the Newgate Farm draft at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. His dam, Tempting Delight (Northern Meteor), is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Champagne Harmony (Choisir).
The Snowdens also saddled the winner of Heat 7 – Tajneed (I Am Invincible).
The filly won the 3YO+ maiden trial (1100 metres) in 1:12.56, running her final 600 metres in 39.37s.
Tajneed | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Tajneed is a granddaughter of dual Group 1 heroine Melito (Redoute’s Choice) and made $500,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Pierro filly, Pierossa, made it three wins on the bounce for the Snowdens when she took out Heat 8, another 3YO+ maiden trial (1100 metres).
Pierossa clocked 1:11.96, with her final 600 metres run in 39.55s.
The filly is a half-sister to Listed winner Ploverset (Street Boss {USA}) and was consigned to the Tyreel Stud draft at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. She was purchased by Triple Crown Syndications for $120,000.
Later in the morning, the Ron Quinton-trained Smart As Smart (Smart Missile) took out Heat 17 – a 3YO+ maiden trial.
Smart As Smart | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Smart As Smart ran the 897-metre journey in 58.81s.
Bred by Olly Tait and Jill Nivison, the 3-year-old gelding is from the family of Whisked (Whiskey Road {USA}), the dam of multiple Group 1-winning champion Tie The Knot (Nassipour {USA}).
