It’s Nature Strip next up for Weir

VICTORIA’S premier trainer Darren Weir has already started spring in dominant fashion and budding star Nature Strip is waiting in the wings to make his first appearance of the season.

A week after training five winners at Caulfield on Saturday, Weir will send Nature Strip to the Group Two McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley to stake his claim for a slot in the $13 million Everest.

His McEwen opposition is expected to include the Anthony Freedman-trained triple Group One winner Shoals, already confirmed for next month’s Everest at Randwick.

Nature Strip has seven wins from 10 starts and is unbeaten in three starts since being transferred to Weir this year.

He left Magic Millions winner Sunlight in his wake last start when he won the Listed Lightning Stakes (1050m) by six lengths in Adelaide on July 28 and has quickly made an impression on Weir.

“He’s the best sprinter I’ve ever had,” Weir said. “And he should be in the race.”

Weir’s five wins at Caulfield were highlighted by Humidor in the $1 million Group One Memsie Stakes.

Caulfield Cup favourite Kings Will Dream ran a slashing race for a close third in the Memsie and Native Soldier moved to the second line of Caulfield Guineas betting with his win in the McNeil Stakes.

Weir also has Caulfield Cup aspirations for Night’s Watch after his victory in a 1400m-open handicap while Everest-bound Group One winner Brave Smash started his campaign with a third in the Group Three Heath.

Mark Zahra is likely to ride Nature Strip on Saturday.