He may be part-owner of the world’s highest-rated sprinter in Nature Strip but Sir Steve Hansen is taking anything for granted heading into Saturday’s The Everest at Randwick.
All Blacks legend Sir Steve Hansen sounded like he was giving a half-time motivational speech when he declared: “This won’t be easy, we need to be on our game!”
Hansen wasn’t talking about rugby players but the brilliant chestnut speedster he part-owns, Nature Strip, who lines up in the $15 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Nature Strip, the world’s top-rated sprinter, has been heavily backed into $3.60 favouritism but Hansen knows from his time as coach of the mighty All Blacks that when you competing in any sport at the highest level, nothing can be taken for granted.
“The Everest is a fantastic race, this is a very deep field,” Hansen said.
“I understand it’s going to be a soft-heavy track and although Nature Strip does enjoy those wet conditions, so do a lot of other horses in the race.
“But all the owners are appreciative to be involved with a horse like Nature Strip and to be in The Everest.”
Hansen, who coached the All Blacks for seven years and masterminded their 2015 World Cup win, spoke to Rails Run from Japan where he has rugby commitments.
He is due to return home on Saturday – but has made sure his flight is after The Everest is run.
Hansen admitted he is used to watching Nature Strip race from afar – the Covid-19 pandemic has prevented him from seeing the big chestnut live since his first Group 1 win in The Galaxy more than two years ago.
“It is disappointing but you can’t change it, the world’s a different place at the moment and you just have to adjust to that,” Hansen said.
“As I was telling some of the other owners the other day, Nature Strip is not going to run any faster or slower if we are there or not.”
Nature Strip has finished unplaced in the last two The Everests but he seems to be in some of the best form of his career going into Saturday’s big race.
The Chris Waller-trained speed machine has not missed a top two placing in his races this year and his lead-up form into The Everest this spring has been impressive – a brilliant first-up win in the Concorde Stakes then a narrow loss to Eduardo in The Shorts.
Hansen said Nature Strip’s good form this spring is largely due to the genius of Waller.
“Nature Strip is a horse that has been affected by spring weather and allergies,” Hansen said. “It has taken a while to sort those things out and learn how to deal with them.
“We have been fortunate this spring they have got on top of it and the horse is racing and working well.
“Chris is a magician; he is the best in the business. If he is happy with Nature Strip, then all the owners are happy.” Hansen is hoping for a “good Kiwi double” as champion jockey James McDonald is combining with Waller and Nature Strip – and had one final jibe for the Aussies ahead of The Everest.,
“Our jockey is not bad either,” Hansen said.
“That’s unless you guys pinch him like you have the pavlova and Phar Lap!”
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The maestro David Payne can’t fault star mare Montefilia ahead of her historic bid to win the $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Montefilia is attempting to become the first mare to win feature Group 1 2400m handicap double – The Metropolitan and Caulfield Cup.
The double has only been achieved four times previously by Tawqeet (2006), Railings (2005), Hayai (1983) and Redcraze (1956).
Montefilia was penalised 1kg for her The Metropolitan win but Payne feels the mare’s 52kg impost gives her a competitive chance to win the Caulfield Cup. “She is dropping 3.5kg on her win at Randwick and that will help,” Payne said.
“This is a tough race but the mare is going really well. I’m glad she has drawn barrier 12 because she’s such a big ‘girl’, she needs galloping room.
“The horse of Peter Moody’s (Incentivise) will have to go forward so we might be able to follow him over and settle about midfield.
“There will be a lot of speed and we will have to try and take our chances but I really think she is right in this race.”
On the subject of speed, the Payne-trained Fox Fighter demonstrated plenty of it to win a Midway over 1000m on the same day Montefilia won The Metropolitan.
Fox Fighter was timed to run his final 600m in a scarcely believable 32.18s – easily the fastest closing sectional of the day.
Payne said Fox Fighter has done very well ahead of the Fujitsu General Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick today.
“I know he has to go out to 1400m but that won’t worry this little horse,” Payne said.
“We will ride him a bit quiet from that draw and hopefully he can sprint home like he did that other day. He ran amazing time but that is him, he keeps stepping up all the time.
“I just don’t want it to be too wet for him. If the track is heavy, I won’t be too keen to run.”
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Hall of Fame jockey Damien Oliver has been trying for more than two decades to equal the legendary Scobie Breasley’s Caulfield Cup riding record. Breasley won five Caulfield Cups, the most recent on Peshawar in 1952, and his records has stood unchallenged ever since.
Oliver appeared certain to at least equal Breasley’s record after he won four Caulfield Cups in seven years – Mannerism (1992), Paris Lane (1995), Doriemus (1995) and Sky Heights (1999). But a fifth Caulfield Cup has eluded Oliver ever since but the champion jockey has another very real chance to equal Breasley’s record when he rides Delphi in Saturday’s big race.
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The field for the inaugural $2 million The Invitation (1400m) at Royal Randwick next Saturday is filling up fast with another six mares confirmed as starters.
Nudge, Madam Rouge, Sweet Deal, Startantes, Forbidden Love and Madam Legend secured invites this week, joining Entriviere, Icebath and Vangelic as definite runners.
This leaves only three more spots available for The Invitation where crack New Zealand mare Entriviere is early favourite at $3.
Originally published as Sir Steve Hansen isn’t underestimating the task ahead of new Everest favourite
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