Champion sprinter Nature Strip has continued his progress towards a spring campaign by winning a high class trial at Rosehill on Tuesday morning.
Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by James McDonald, the nine-year-old completed the 900m distance in 55.02 seconds.
Nature Strip managed to hold off competitors Overpass and King’s Gambit, with Mazu finishing fourth.
Last season saw Nature Strip fall behind in international ratings, overtaken by horses like TJ Smith Stakes winner I Wish I Win and The Everest champion Giga Kick.
After a period of lower performance following his Royal Ascot run, he took a break from racing. However, Waller is hopeful that the horse is on track to regain some of his best form.
Nature Strip is expected to participate in the $1 million Concorde Stakes at Randwick on September 2, signalling what could be a significant return to form.
