Chris Waller is determined to get star sprinter Nature Strip back to his best in Australia in the autumn before thinking about any overseas trips in 2021.
The 2019/20 racehorse of the year was unable to capture his best form during a winless spring campaign, where he finished second twice and was unable to place in his other two appearances, including the 2020 The Everest (1200m).
His best performance came in his last start in the VRC Sprint Classic (1200m), finishing second behind winner Bivouac, who has swiftly had his 2021 international campaign plotted by Godolphin, with Dubai and Royal Ascot on the cards.
What a remarkable win. Bivouac EXPLODES to win the G1 Darley Sprint Classic. 😮 @Godolphin pic.twitter.com/JbgwP2MUsN
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2020
Chris Waller had similar ambitions with Nature Strip earlier this year before COVID-19 border restrictions put a stop to those plans, and he says they will focus on the son of Nicconi returning to form locally before returning to those plans abroad.
“The autumn comes first, we have good prizemoney here so we want to get him back winning and look at (overseas) after that,” Waller said.
“He showed last autumn that he came good in the autumn and I just think his allergies might settle down a bit of a way from the hay fever season.
“It’s obvious that allergies are rife among people and horses I don’t think are much different.”
He ran terrific on Saturday and certainly wasn’t far off his best,” Waller said.
“It was full credit to the winner of course. I think things just didn’t work out at the start of the preparation.
“Things went pear-shaped and I am looking to starting off fresh with him in the autumn.
“If we can get him back to 100% he will be winning again.”
