Nature Strip takes out $15 million Everest, holding off Masked Crusader and Eduardo
Nature Strip has taken out the $15 million Everest, holding off a fast-finishing Masked Crusader and Eduardo.
The Chris Waller-trained horse looked to be a comfortable winner with 400 metres to go before Masked Crusader threatened to steal the race in the dying moments.
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With championship jockey James McDonald in the saddle, the win was McDonald and Waller's 250th together working as jockey and trainer.
Waller was overcome with emotion after the win, fighting back tears as he spoke moments after the thrilling finish.
"It's just a great race that's captured the imagination of so many people," he told Seven.
"What better way to get out of COVID. I could feel it. [The preparation] was a little bit different, obviously, but when he crossed the line it certainly hit home. He just didn't panic really."
McDonald called Nature Strip 'a star' and Waller 'an absolute master' after claiming The Everest Getty
Waller's confidence in Nature Strip was echoed by McDonald, who called the trainer "an absolute master".
"I've never woken up in the morning and been so confident in a runner, even though he's just got there," he said.
"The man who trains it is just an absolute master. What he does, he's just a freak of a trainer and the horse is a star and I knew we'd see something really good today, the build-up had been so good.
"Everyone was wiping it off because he's been in it three times and hasn't done anything, but it's been different this time around. He's just a star, the horse gives its all."
THE EVEREST RESULTS: 1st - Nature Strip, 2nd - Masked Crusader, 3rd - Eduardo, 4th - Lost And Running
