Chris Waller setting Nature Strip for fifth shot at The Everest

Trainer Chris Waller believes champion sprinter Nature Strip can still make the field for a record fifth successive The TAB Everest in spring.

Waller revealed Nature Strip returns to training later next week re-energised after the longest spell the gelding has enjoyed in nearly four years.

Nature Strip, the ageing superstar, clearly wasn’t at his best in a brief two-start campaign during autumn finishing only sixth in the Lightning Stakes and fourth in the TJ Smith Stakes.

But Waller, who is chasing the 150th Group 1 win of his career with Super Chilled in the $700,000 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, remains optimistic rising nine-year-old Nature Strip is still a competitive sprinting force at the elite level.

“Nature Strip wasn’t quite as sharp last preparation and had a few niggles creeping in,” Waller said.

“But the vet was more than happy for me to push on with the horse (next season) provided he had a good break.”

Waller said although Nature Strip “looks a bit woolly in the coat” the gelding has been enjoying his extended spell.

“We’ve gone back to basics with Nature Strip,” Waller said.

“It’s the first time he has had longer than a three-week spell since I’ve been training the horse.

“He’s had a proper eight-week break and I feel that will work wonders for him.

“I think he will be a horse that really jumps out of the ground when he returns to training.”

It is almost 12 months to the day since Nature Strip arrived in England ahead of his famous, runaway win in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot last June.

He returned in spring to win The Shorts first-up but has been winless in four starts since.

Waller said Nature Strip “will have a gradual build up” to the gelding’s spring campaign.

“We will take it one race at a time with Nature Strip,” Waller said.

“If he is anywhere near his best at his first couple of runs (in spring) he can certainly get to another (The) Everest.”

Waller’s chestnut champion has contested The Everest in four successive years for a fourth behind Yes Yes Yes in 2019, a seventh placing to Classique Legend in 2020, a brilliant win in 2021 then his fourth to Giga Kick last year.

Nature Strip was also selected for the 2018 The Everest but lost form during spring and was withdrawn from the race.

In early TAB betting for the $15m Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 14, Nature Strip is at $15 behind $3.50 favourite Giga Kick.

Meanwhile, Waller’s chances of a milestone 150th Group 1 win with Super Chilled in the Queensland Oaks received an unexpected boost with the withdrawal of early favourite Fireburn on veterinary advice.

In revised Oaks betting, Renaissance Woman is the new favourite at $3.40 with Super Chilled into $15.

Only three trainers in Australian racing history have prepared 150 or more Group 1 winners – Bart Cummings and Tommy Smith with 246 each and Gai Waterhouse with 154.

Waller can achieve the important career milestone if Super Chilled can give the trainer a fourth Queensland Oaks after his successes with all-time great Winx (2015), Egg Tart (2017) and Youngstar (2018).