Nicconi 3YO Impressive at Valley

Lightly raced speedster Nature Strip posted the biggest winning margin of the night on Friday at Moonee Valley.

Prepared by Robert Smerdon, three year-old Nicconi gelding Nature Strip was having his third start and lived up to punters expectation when bolting away to win the 1000 metre Benchmark 70 event by five and a half lengths as hot favourite.

Winning rider Ryan Maloney believes Nature Strip can develop into a Group horse.

“He’s a class three year-old,” he said.

Passed in at Inglis Premier when offered by Golden Grove, Nature Strip is a half-brother to stakes-winner The Barrister, who was subsequently sold to Hong Kong.

With two wins and a second from three starts, he is the third winner from Group III winning Desert Sun (GB) mare Strikeline.