‘Close to perfection’: Nature Strip king of the world after Ascot blitz

Even when he won his first group 1, the Galaxy in 2019, a couple of months after joining Waller, the tearaway element to his make-up had many questioning if that run could be repeated.

But in the ensuing three years, Nature Strip has gone from being in a rush to a relaxed sprinter that harnesses his power and beats the best in the world.

The development has come under track work rider Stu Williams and McDonald. The latter has learned to go with him rather than fight him.

The Royal Ascot success was a ninth group 1 victory that also includes three TJ Smiths. Nature Strip also wears the Everest crown.

“He’s just learnt to be a racehorse now. He was a tricky horse early on … he’s matured,” Waller said. “He just got him to be himself and relax. He is a horse that wants to be comfortable and when he is, he is very good.

“If that is his only run in England, it will be a legacy that is long remembered.”

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A decision on running Nature Strip in Saturday’s Platinum Jubilee will be made later in the week by Waller and his team, but there is an Everest defence in October to consider.

If he runs in England again, it would be the first time has backed up inside a week.

Nature Strip’s relaxed demeanour before the King’s Stand, was a longway from the hard-charging, headstrong sprinter of three years ago. It allowed him to release his best once the barriers opened.

Like Choisir (2003), Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007) and Scenic Blast (2009), Nature Strip took control of the King’s Stand by the furlong pole. He then kept lengthening his margin. At the post, he had left the field more than four lengths in his wake. A riderless horse was the only company and concern.

“I couldn’t believe there was one with me, the way he quickened, nothing should have been with me,” McDonald said. “I didn’t know it had lost the rider.

“That was Nature Strip at his best. He loved the straight and the challenge of the incline at the finish and that brought out his best.”

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