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| Dane Squance |
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Nature Strip, the world's best sprinter and hot favourite for the $15m The TAB Everest, is likely to have a jumpout at Rosehill Gardens on Wednesday morning.
Trainer Chris Waller is mirroring the successful big-race preparations he has given Nature Strip previously to ready the champion chestnut for next week's The Everest at Royal Randwick.
"I'm planning to give Nature Strip a jumpout on his home track," Waller explained.
"It's what we did last year (before winning The Everest) and what we did before the he won the TJ (Smith Stakes in April).
"I find it's just enough to keep the horse ticking over without doing too much."
Waller prefers a more sedate, controlled jumpout for Nature Strip against two or three stablemates rather than an official barrier trial which would have a larger field and provide a more competitive environment.
Nature Strip, a brilliant winner of The Shorts when resuming last month, was home in his box last Saturday when his main The Everest rivals, Lost And Running, Mazu and Masked Crusader fought out the finish of the Premiere Stakes.
"I think what we are finding every year now is that people are getting to see these top sprinters before The Everest," Waller said.
"They don't always clash but it gives everyone a chance to watch these horses before the Grand Final and that's what people want."
Despite the impressive efforts of the Premiere placegetters, Nature Strip didn't need to race to firm in The Everest betting and is now a dominant $2 favourite.
"It is easy to get too far ahead of yourself but Nature Strip is very well," Waller added.
Copy: Racenet