NATURE STRIP WINS KING STAND

Nature Strip Wins The King Stand Stakes

In the build up to the Kings Stand Stakes Nature Strip paraded unbelievably calmly in the ring before casually heading down to the start.

Race rival and fellow international Golden Pal for American Wesley Ward has received the majority of the market money having moved from 3/1 into 7/4 at the start of the race. This betting shift had in turn pushed Nature Strip from 15/8 favourite out to 9/4 at the jump.

As the gates crashed back there was early drama as Golden Pal under the ride of American jockey Irad Ortiz jr missed the jump and further along the stalls Kahdeem had jumped early and shaken off jockey Jamie Spencer.

With the race off and running it would be the Czech horse Ponntos who would take up the early running. With runners across the track it wouldn’t take long before Nature Strip would move into the centre of the track to mount an assault.

Under the ride of James McDonald Nature Strip would then powerfully move into the lead and kick clear by over four lengths in the final stages to win the Group One King Stand Stakes. Ironically only Kahdeem with no jockey could come close to Nature Strip in the end.

Nature Strip demolished the Kings Stand Stakes field leaving the british commentator to say “look how far he’s won by…” as the Aussies lay down the benchmark for sprinters for the week.

The question now for trainer Chris Waller is whether Nature Strip will now take on stablemate Home Affairs in the Platinum Jubilee Handicap. With Jamie Kah traveling as part of the Waller team there is every chance we could see The Everest winner once again on Saturday. 

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