It’s almost like he needed to get ahead of the hue and cry which may follow, so Chris Waller today released a Press Release saying Jamie Kah will ride NATURE STRIP (Nicconi – Strikeline) and NOT James McDonald.
Even though Jay Mac will be in Melbourne.
Waller has put Nature Strip’s regular rider on HOME AFFAIRS (I Am Invincible – Miss interiors) in the upcoming Gr 1 Black Caviar Lightning over 1000m when the pair will clash.
Which is a shock move when you consider that Nature Strip’s last 4 wins have been at the highest level including The Everest, the Gr 1 VRC Classic, the Gr 1 TJ Smith and the Gr 3 Concorde.
McDonald rode him in all of those wins. And rode him perfectly.
Jay Mac also rode the rising star Home Affairs at his last start, a Gr 1 win in the 1200m Coolmore Stakes at Flemington.
Both horses will clash in the Lightning and both will be resuming. “It is disappointing to have to run both together but it’s also a privilege to train both horses,” wrote Waller.
“”It is likely James will ride Home Affairs and without going into details as to the reasons why, it is no reflection on how either is going, in fact , Nature Strip is clearly the best of the two.”
So that comment just adds to the conundrum.
Kah did win on Nature Strip in the Gr 1 Lightning last year when he narrowly beat September Run.
“In time Home Affairs will measure up to Nature Strip’s level, and whether that is first-up, or later in his prep, only time will tell.”
Home Affairs is only a 3YO and the proud owner of just 3 wins from 7 starts.
He has won $1,693,000, while Nature Strip has won $16.5million.
It is interesting to note that Waller part-owns Home Affair and has no ownership of Nature Strip.
The Lightning is on 19th Feb at Flemington.
The plot thickens.
