Nature Strip Outright Everest Favourite

In the shadows of champion sprinter Nature Strip (Nicconi-Strikeline, by Desert Sun) chalking up an effortless Concorde Stakes (1000m) victory at Royal Randwick, bookmakers wound the Chris Waller-trained gelding into $4.50 outright The Everest favourite. The Inglis Premier Sale graduate will represent the slot for the $15 million sprint that is owned by the stable where is undoubtedly the horse to beat after easily outpointing talented Wild Ruler (Snitzel) and Godolphin's Trekking (Street Cry). As tempting as the price clearly is – it's a surprise he's not shorter – doubts linger about Nature Strip over 1200m at headquarters if there's a furious pace and/or he's put under pressure a long way from home. That said, Nature Strip has been a model of consistency since last November, finishing top two in all five starts, and he is likely to prove a different customer this time around. Waller is unfazed, saying: "He's come back so well, he's had a trouble-free prep and he looks likes he's in for a big spring. He raced a lot more tractably today, he allowed Wild Ruler and Trekking to be in his sights and I actually thought when he topped the rise and Wild Ruler was still on the bridle that he might come with us but it was great to see him show that acceleration.''