Jamie Kah is looking forward to reuniting with Nature Strip under race conditions after partnering the sprinter in a jump-out at Flemington.
In a mini-preview ahead of the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) on Saturday week, Kah guided Nature Strip in the 800m jump-out on Friday in which he led home stablemate Home Affairs.
Kah had her one and only race day ride aboard Nature Strip in last year’s Lightning, guiding him to a half-length victory over September Run.
“He reminded me a lot of his trial last year before I won the Lightning on him,” Kah said.
“He was just beautiful. It was like he was just cantering around the sand.
“He was doing it so effortlessly and every time I get on him, he gets more and more relaxed.
“He was so calm out there and a pleasure to ride.”
Kah said trainer Chris Waller did not want Nature Strip to have a hard trial with the 1000m sprint at weight-for-age just eight days away.
“They didn’t ask me to do much on him and obviously he does enough underneath himself,” Kah said.
“It was exactly the same as last year. Action perfect, everything perfect.
“I’m very excited for next Saturday.”
Kah said she could not stop smiling when given the call up to again partner Nature Strip in the Lightning after regular rider James Mcdonald elected to stay with Home Affairs.
Waller explained it was a difficult decision for McDonald to jump-off Nature Strip for the Home Affairs ride and said nothing should be read into it.
“Home Affairs is a colt and has still got a few tricks and him knowing the horse is a big plus, while Jamie has won on Nature Strip, so don’t read too much into it,” Waller said.
“He’s disappointed he can’t be on both.”
