Australia's top sprinter, Nature Strip, has added the VRC Sprint Classic to his list of big race wins on Stakes Day at Flemington.
On the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Nature Strip followed up on last month's win in The Everest with an effortless win in the $2 million Group One.
The Chris Waller-trained superstar, ridden by James McDonald, won easing down with 3.25 lengths to spare over Swat's That, and Bella Nipotina in third.
It was Nature Strip's seventh Group One victory, and his second time to win the race, after his victory in 2019.
An emotional Waller — who stayed in Sydney for the Melbourne Cup when his horse Verry Elleegant won — was on track to watch Nature Strip in action.
Asked what it was like to witness the champion sprinter live on the track, he told Channel 10:
Waller said a decision would be made tomorrow on whether to take Nature Strip overseas next year, with a trip to Royal Ascot a possibility.
McDonald added to a brilliant week after his sensational Cup-winning ride on Verry Elleegant.
"It's incredible [riding Nature Strip]," McDonald said.
"Like Chris told me before the race, treat it like a track gallop and away he goes."
The victory was the 19th of Nature Strip's career, earning the $1.2 million first prize, and taking the seven-year-old gelding's career prize money total to more than $16 million.
McDonald breaks Cup week record on Zaaki
James McDonald was not finished, taking out the final Group One race of the Carnival on favourite Zaaki.
McDonald brought the Annabel Neasham-trained Zaaki across early to take the front and dominated the race before coming clear in the straight to win from Cascadian and Mo'unga.
The victory was McDonald's 10th of Melbourne Cup week, breaking Brett Prebble's previous record of nine wins in a single Carnival for a jockey.
"I could not do it without the support (of) Misty, Todd, all my friends and family, Mum and Dad, they were marvellous."
Zaaki had been the favourite for last month's Cox Plate before being scratched on the morning of the race.
English-born Neasham — who has been training solo for only a year said her main feeling was relief after the win.
"It hasn't been completely smooth sailing, part of me thought, am I being greedy, should I have put [Zaaki] in the paddock but when I got down here this week, he's just been thriving," she said.
"To be able to get someone like James to ride on a big day like this is so special and for my first winner at Flemington to be the McKinnon is just unbelievable."
