Gallop to decide Flemington run for Nature

Darren Weir will decide after Nature Strip gallops when he has his first start for the trainer.

Talented sprinter Nature Strip could be a starter in a heat of the A R Creswick Series at Flemington if he pleases new trainer Darren Weir in a gallop.

Nature Strip will be entered for the 1100m-race on Saturday, but a gallop on Monday will determine whether the gelding takes his place.

Weir is the fourth trainer of Nature Strip who, if he runs on Saturday, will be lining up for his eighth start.

Nature Strip began his career with the now-disqualified Robert Smerdon, winning three of his four starts before Robert Hickmott took over for a victory at Flemington in January.

John Sadler had the gelding for two starts – at Caulfield and Morphettville – where he finished second and fourth respectively before his transfer to Weir last month.

Weir has high hopes for the sprinter.

“My opinion is he turned up in unbelievable order and it will be hard to improve him,” Weir said.

“You should have seen how good he looked when he turned up at the stable. Most of them that come to the stable come in good order, but he was exceptional.

“He’s a beautiful looking horse.”

Since leaving Sadler, Nature Strip has been working at Weir’s beach stable at Warrnambool.

Weir says he is hoping that may make a difference.

“He’s worked really well since coming to us and John always said he was a good horse,” Weir said.

“We’ll enter him and have a look at what’s in it and work it out after he gallops on Monday.

“They come to your stable and you’ve got to put them in a race at some time to find out where they are at, but a couple of pretty handy trainers had him before I got him.”