Nature Strip confirmed himself as one of the best sprinters in the country with a dominant win in the Darley Sprint Classic.
Here’s what the jockeys said.
James McDonald (Nature Strip – 1st)
He was just airborne, floating across the ground, I slipped him a little bit more reign at the three and looked at the big screen and thought oh no I’m six in front but he was still just going through his gears. He’s a star, he ran it out so strongly.
Craig Williams (Loving Gabi – 2nd)
I don’t like to run second in any race let alone a Group I but the winner’s performance was unbelievable. My filly’s performance was amazing as well. They placed her really well last time to win the Manikato and she had the perfect run, everything around the Valley where today she had to really tough. She had good cover the first part then we had nothing to bring us into the race. We had to chase down the eventual winner and her performance was outstanding.
Brenton Avdulla (In Her Time – 3rd)
She was good. We went through comfortable enough on the back of James early but he quickened up midrace and he put a gap on us. I thought she tried her guts out.
Hugh Bowman (Alizee – 4th)
I was really proud of Alizee. It is hard to make excuses for anything but the winner. He made the race his own but my mare ran really well.
Mark Zahra (Santa Anna Lane – 5th)
He just ran a bit tired today. When we got the gaps towards the outside fence I thought he would zoom but nothing would have beat the winner today. He has went like he is a tired horse.
Damian Lane (Zoutori – 6th)
Honest.
Damien Oliver (Malibu Style – 7th)
He ran up to as good as he can go.
Dwayne Dunn (The Bostonian – 8th)
Better suited over 1400m.
Jarrad Noske (Rock Magic – 9th)
Worst run of his career.
