Gifted jockey Jamie Kah brought her magic touch to enigmatic sprinter Nature Strip at Flemington on Saturday to bring out his best and win in the Group I VRC Lightning Stakes (1000m) over his fast finishing stablemate September Run.
The 2019/20 Australian Racehorse of the Year, Nature Strip had a troubled spring campaign when nothing went right for the Chris Waller trained son of Nicconi with his best result coming with a well-held second to Bivouac in the Group I VRC Sprint Classic.
Kah had her first sit on Nature Strip in a jumpout last Friday and the encounter was enough to put her in charge of the powerhouse sprinter come race day.
“He was in a good mood. He was in a good mood when I trialled him. I think he’s just getting better with age,” said Kah, who felt the absence of a crowd packed atmosphere played in her favour..
“The team has done an amazing job and I’m the lucky one to be on him.”
Kah was happy to sit quietly on Nature Strip early in the $750,000 sprint, letting dual Group I winner Pippie set a quick tempo for the first 600m, before getting busy on the gelding in the last 400m.
He surged clear and then held off a late charge from three year-old filly September Run to win by half a length.
Nature Strip has the overall record of 15 wins and four seconds from 28 starts with earnings of $6.3million.
Bred by Golden Grove, Nature Strip was passed in as a yearling and is a half-brother to stakes-winner The Barrister from Group III winning Desert Sun (GB) mare Strikeline, who has not had a foal since 2016, but was covered by shamus Award last spring.
Nature Strip is the best performer for Widden Stud’s Nicconi, who is enjoying a terrific yearling sales season with his 23 yearlings sold so far this year averaging $106,826.
