Lyons confirms Nature Strip won’t back up

Nature Strip’s managing owner Rod Lyons has ended speculation the world’s leading sprinter will back up his Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes demolition to race in Sunday morning’s Platinum Jubilee, with a definitive answer of no.

Champion trainer Chris Waller had said the prospect was ‘unlikely’ but many were still holding out hope they would get to see the now eight-time Group 1-winner again at the famous carnival.

“I think there was a fair bit of pressure on the boss (Chris Waller) to try to get him to run,” said Lyons.

“But he said ‘look he’s done his job, let’s get him home and get him quarantined and get him ready for The Everest in the Spring.”

Lyons confirmed connections had continued celebrations into the early morning following the champion sprinter’s eye-catching victory.

“They haven’t stopped yet, it was a long night, I don’t remember what happened or where we ended up, I can’t remember what time we got home but I know we’re off again (celebrating) today.

“The trip over was tough but the after celebrations were tougher.”

With Nature Strip all but on the plane home to Australia, Waller still has a strong chance of winning both of Royal Ascot’s feature sprints with Coolmore-colt Home Affairs the $2.60 favourite.

Fellow Australian raider the Freedman-trained Artorious also lines up in the Platinum Jubilee at $10 with Sportsbet.