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| Dane Squance |
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Lost And Running's Everest misfortune might result in a monstrous payday in the $3m Nature Strip Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Trainer John O'Shea had to withdraw Lost And Running from The Everest on race morning when the six-year-old gelding had a skin irritation on a fetlock joint.
It was a cruel blow for Lost And Running's connections as the sprinter was in top form with a win in the Premiere Stakes two weeks prior to The Everest.
But O'Shea has put the Everest episode behind him and is concentrating on having his stable star primed for the Nature Strip Stakes.
Lost And Running tuned up for the race with a barrier trial hit-out at the track last Friday, finishing a close second over 1030m.
"It was good to give him the trial and blow out a few cobwebs,'' O'Shea said. "The trial has really brought him on, he's a happy horse at the minute.''
Trainer John O'Shea says Lost And Running is a "happy horse" ahead of Saturday's Nature Strip Stakes. Picture: Jenny Evans–Getty Images
The Nature Strip Stakes boasts first prizemoney of $1,725,000 but there is also another $2.5m Sydney Sprint Series bonus on the line.
If Lost And Running wins the Nature Strip, he will collect the series bonus and earn a massive $4.225 million prizemoney.
This means the Nature Strip Stakes winner potentially earns the fourth biggest prizemoney cheque in Australian racing behind The Everest ($6.2 million), Golden Eagle ($5.25 million) and Melbourne Cup ($4.4 million).
To be eligible for the bonus, a sprinter needs to have run in three of the designated Sprint Series races. The leaderboard has Lost And Running and Mazu equal leaders on 8 points with Eduardo next on seven points.
Copy: Ray Thomas