Nature Strip attempts to go back-to-back in The 2022 Everest

There’s no need to panic, Nature Strip fans. The world’s best sprinter is set to defend his Everest title from the outside barrier.

The great eight-year-old was a convincing winner from the No.2 lane in his last start, The Shorts, on September 17.

But Chris Waller’s superstar gelding drew 12 for the $15 million sprint over 1200m at Randwick on Saturday.

However, the master trainer said the $1.90 favourite with Palmerbet will adapt to the wide lane, just like he did on the way to winning last year’s edition of the world’s richest race on turf from the 10 barrier.

Nature Strip also won the TJ Smith Stakes from barrier 11 on April 2, and Waller believes his runner will once again show his versatility under the immense pressure of an Everest.

“Nature Strip likes to get into his own rhythm and while there is a little bit of extra ground to cover he can do it as he likes,” Waller said.

“If you draw an inside barrier and you are a little slow away from the blocks you have to work hard to be able to hold that position, otherwise you’ll get pushed pout the back of the field.

“When you draw on the outside, you’ve got nothing to your outside.

“You’ve only got those to your inside and you can come across when you’re ready at the pace you want to.”

Despite Australia’s best sprinters taking part in Saturday’s feature over just 1200m, a typically-calm Waller said that distance would still allow plenty of time for Nature Strip to make his move from the outside.

“You’ve got to respect the distance. It might sound short 1200m but, it’s still a long way so getting the horse into a good rhythm and making sure you’re doing things right is most important,” he said.

“So, barrier 12 allows that. He drew similar last year (barrier 10 when he won the 2021 The Everest) and he won the TJ Smith Stakes in the autumn from a wide gate (barrier 11).”

Champion jockey James McDonald said he was relieved Nature Strip would be starting on the outside of the 12-horse Everest field.

“With Randwick the way it’s been playing, and being very wet, I don’t think the barrier is going to be too much of an issue for us,” he said.

“I think it’s OK. He just enjoys that space; he’s never been a horse we’ve really worried about a gate with, either.

“I think the gate has given me a little bit more (confidence) and I think he will do his thing.

“We’re all very happy and very confident in the horse and what we can do on him now. Now, we’ve got to execute well on the day and he’s the horse to beat.”

After riding the world’s highest-rated sprinter in his final piece of trackwork at Rosehill on Thursday, McDonald issued an ominous warning for all 11 opposing horses and riders.

“Couldn’t be happier with him – he’s feeling unbelievable,” he said.

“He’s in really good form. He’s bubbling, he’s ready to explode.”

2021 The Everest Replay – Nature Strip

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