Jockey James McDonald drew level with Brett Prebble winning nine races across a Melbourne Cup Carnival following an electric win aboard the world’s best sprinter Nature Strip in the Group 1 $2 million Darley Sprint Classic (1200m).
Displaying once again his terrific ability down the iconic Flemington ‘Straight Six’, the now seven-year-old produced a breathtaking performance on the back of his win in the $15 million The Everest (1200m) in Sydney.
It was the fifth straight year the Darley Classic winner came out of The Everest, Nature Strip having also won the race back in 2019 after a third to stablemate Yes Yes Yes in the world’s richest handicap.
It was a flawless and sharp victory in a time of 1:08.78 from Nature Strip, who could now be Royal Ascot bound in England.
Taking his prize money earned up over $15 million, Nature Strip looked in a league of his own and was far too good for his rivals leading from barrier to box.
McDonald went straight to the front up the middle of the track, a beautifully matured Nature Strip traveling well and exploding when McDonald hit the button inside the final furlong.
Nature Strip left them behind as a $1.28 favourite should and went on to defeat the brave Leon & Troy Corstens-trained Swats That by over three lengths.
Another mare, Ciaron Maher & David Eustace’s Manikato Stakes runner-up Bella Nipotina, produced another good run to finish third and complete the Darley Sprint Classic trifecta.
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