NATURE STRIP IS BACK. FLASHES HOME IN THE LIGHTNING STAKES UNDER A SUPERB RIDE BY JAMIE KAH

By Graham Potter | Saturday, February 13, 2021

Nature Strip is back!

Last season’s Australian Horse Of The Year took the Group 1 Lightning Stakes by the scuff of the neck inside the last 200m, accelerating with meaning to open up a winning advantage.

The big, striking chestnut is a sight to behold in full stride and he clearly was rejuvenated and loved doing what he did today when posting his first win since the T J Smith in April last year.

An emotional Jamie Kah, who was claiming her fourth Group 1 victory, couldn’t quite find the words to describe Nature Strip.

“He’s just unbelievable,” said Kah. “What a horse!”

“Honestly, I just let him do what he wanted to do. He was just beautiful early. Pippie set him a nice hot tempo and he relaxed.

‘It just set up beautiful for him. He wanted to drift in and roll in a bit late, but I didn’t really care. I just let him do what he wanted to do. He is just amazing.

“Credit to the Chris Waller team. It is hard getting a horse like this fit because in his work and triaIs he does everything so effortlessly.

“I’m pretty emotional. That was so amazing.

“I wish mum and day could have been here today (spectators were locked out). That would have been awesome."