Nature Strip (Image: Racing Photos)
Nature Strip will be in charge of his own destiny in Friday night's $1 million Group 1 Moir Stakes, with trainer Chris Waller reiterating that the star speedster will not be restrained.
The Nicconi gelding drew barrier one in the field of 15, with fellow speed influencers Eduardo and Ball Of Muscle drawn barriers two and three, and Waller said jockey James McDonald would not be working against him.
"We won't be taking away the speed from him," Waller said in a media statement on Wednesday afternoon.
"We will simply let him jump and be as settled as he possibly can be without over-racing, which was our intention last start (in the Concorde Stakes, when fourth) but when the pace slackened, it left us in a very tricky position, and was unavoidable to avoid heels and sit three-wide.
"Fortunately, he pulled up well from that race and with a lot more speed on in Friday night's race, it should be on from the start to the finish, which I am sure will see him settle much better."
Nature Strip's work since the Concorde Stakes has Waller hopeful the anticipated hectic tempo will be advantageous for the polarising galloper.
"The horse himself is very well and is settling much better at home, as we have said all along. So I am hoping under race conditions, we get the benefits from this," he added.
How Nature Strip performs on Friday night will determine the remainder of his spring campaign, but Waller remains confident 1200-metre races, and potentially further, are achievable goals for the five-year-old.
"I still feel ultimately he is a 1200-metre horse, possibly even further, but obviously, getting him to save energy for the finish is the key," Waller said.
"Whether he is let run or not, he must still have energy left over the last 100m against these types of horses."
Nature Strip heads BetEasy's Moir Stakes at $2.75, ahead star mare Sunlight ($6) and last-start Stradbroke Handicap winner Trekking ($7).