Nature Strip – Before He Was Famous

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

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

Q. 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?
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.

Q. What do you believe to be the best win of his career so far?
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.

Q. How do you think he will perform in The Everest?
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.

Nature Strip Awarded 2020 HTBA Champion Racehorse

The winner of the Champion Racehorse in the 29th Annual HTBA Awards, goes to Nature Strip, Bred by Golden Grove Stud (Denman). Thank you and congratulations to all who played a part in producing this exceptional racehorse ???? also a big thank you to the HTBA and award sponsors Nationwide Superannuation.

Nature Strip wins Horse of the Year award

Gifted sprinter Nature Strip has been crowned Australia’s 2019-20 Horse of the Year courtesy of his three brilliant Group 1 wins last season, with trainer Chris Waller winning the award for a fifth consecutive year.

The Winx era might be over but her trainer Chris Waller still has the nation’s premier racehorse – Nature Strip.

Waller’s enigmatic but extremely gifted sprinter Nature Strip was named the 2019-20 Australian Horse of the Year on Monday night.

Nature Strip earned the coveted award after a stellar season comprising four wins from seven starts, earning nearly $4 million prizemoney and including three Group 1 successes in the TJ Smith Stakes, Darley Classic and Moir Stakes.

Trainer Chris Waller with Nature Strip’s jockey James McDonald. Picture: AAP/Vince Caligiuri

Trainer Chris Waller with Nature Strip’s jockey James McDonald. Picture: AAP/Vince Caligiuri

This is the fifth consecutive year Waller has trained the Horse of the Year winner after all-time great Winx won an unprecedented four titles before her retirement last year.

“It is amazing to get a horse like this,’’ Waller said of Nature Strip, who was also voted Champion Sprinter.

“He has gone from a horse that has been a genuine Group 2 winner, and then in one season has won multiple Group 1 races, including the biggest sprint races on the racing calendar.

“It is a privilege to be part of his career and respect should also be given to my team for the work they have done with Nature Strip behind the scenes making sure that he is well prepared and continues to peak throughout each preparation resulting in some really big wins.’’

Nature Strip had been the long-time favourite for the $15 million The TAB Everest (1200m) until his unplaced run in the Premiere Stakes last Saturday.

James McDonald salutes after riding Nature Strip to victory the Darley Sprint Classic. Picture: AAP/Vince Caligiuri

James McDonald salutes after riding Nature Strip to victory the Darley Sprint Classic. Picture: AAP/Vince Caligiuri

An endoscopic examination of Nature Strip revealed a mild respiratory condition and the sprinter has been put on antibiotics with Waller still confident the gelding will be right to take his place in The Everest field.

Farnan’s brilliant juvenile season which resulted in five wins from six starts including the rare Silver Slipper-Todman Stakes-Golden Slipper treble ensured he earned the two-year-old title.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt can get his The Everest campaign back on track in the Group 2 $300,000 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Other category winners at the Horse of the Year awards were Loving Gaby (Three-year-old Filly), Yes Yes Yes (Three-year-old Colt or Gelding) and Vow And Declare (Stayer), while the Middle Distance award was a tie between dual Group 1 winner Fierce Impact an All Star Mile champ Regal Power.

The main categories were voted on by more than 60 of the nation’s racing media and handicappers, with the winner receiving the highest number of votes awarded on a 3-2-1 basis.