SHORT PRICE FAVOURITE FOR DARLEY CLASSIC

Nature Strip

Nature Strip currently sits as $1.33 favourite for the spring contest up the Flemington Straight and is looking to regain the title that he won just two years ago. 

Winning in 2019, Nature Strip lost his title in 2020 when he finished seco to Godolphin runner Bivouac who destroyed the field with an explosive burst of speed. 

This year however, Nature Strip has been in imperious form winning a third TJ Smith and finally breaking his Everest duck when defeating Masked Crusader and Eduardo to win the $15m contest at Randwick.

The Chris Waller trained Stallion will line up against a field of 8 runners, three of which will be stablemates.

The one that stands out is September Run who finished just off Nature Strip in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes earlier in 2021 but have failed to fire since. 

Have scorched a trail up the Flemington straight in the past September Run has battled to reach those levels in his previous two campaigns, most recently finishing sixth behind Minhaaj in a Group 3 race on Derby Day.

Waller will also saddle up Shaquero and Ranch Hand for the sprint contest.

Away from the NSW trainer Nature Stip will need to overcome the likes of Splintex,  Bella Nipotina and Streets of Avalon to add a further $2m to his ever growing prize fund. 

In the other big race of the day Zaaki will return to the track after being scratched on the morning of the Cox Plate after holding long term favouritism.

The Annabel Neasham runner is one of 10 runners that will line up in the Mackinnon Stakes which will round out the Spring Carnival.

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