Shorts shaping as Everest appetiser

Nature Strip $2.40, Masked Crusader $4.60

SATURDAY 3.55PM

Half of the field in next month’s The Everest will line up in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick. Two-time T.J. Smith Stakes champion Nature Strip was a surprise acceptor after returning with a brilliant win in the Concorde Stakes. Masked Crusader is also coming off a stunning first-up win and is challenging Nature Strip for Everest favouritism. Eduardo, Gytrash, Lost And Running and Rothfire are the other Everest runners in the field. Queensland sprinter Rothfire is back 12 months after suffering a nearcareer-ending leg injury.