J-Mac: Nature Strip has silenced critics

Star jockey James McDonald says champion sprinter Nature Strip has ‘silenced his critics’ with a Kings Stand Stakes demolition at Royal Ascot.

The world’s best sprinter sizzled down the straight, blowing his rivals away by 4.5 lengths. 

Many had tipped American speedster Golden Pal as the horse that would be too quick for Nature Strip, but the Wesley Ward galloper never really looked a winning chance after blowing the start.

It let McDonald and Nature Strip to do their own thing out in front, with the rest of the field unable to match his incredible engine.

Golden Pal, who eventually managed to get to the front, popped when the pressure came on and tailed off.

An emotional McDonald paid tribute to Nature Strip after the race.

“That was incredible. I am so lucky to be on him. He’s just a freak of a horse,” McDonald said.

“I think the would he have silenced a few critics with that performance. That was scintillating.

“I seen the American horse, the big spruik horse, charge through and at the two pole, I thought, ‘are you going to come?’ He (Golden Pal) had no response and away he went.”

WATCH: James McDonald on Nature Strip’s win

McDonald finished alongside rider-less horse Khaadem, who admits gave him a heart attack late.

“With the rider-less horse, I didn’t know it was rider-less and I thought, ‘how has one come with him’, he was going that good,” McDonald said.

“That rider-less horse gave me a bit of a fright to be honest with you.”