Pegasus 9

James Tzaferis
Racing.Com
Kathy O'Hara aboard Nature Strip (Image: Supplied) Kathy O'Hara will take a patient approach with Nature Strip as she oversees his transition from champion racehorse to show jumping prospect.
It was confirmed earlier in the week that the Group 1-winning jockey is the new custodian for the champion sprinter, who was retired by trainer Chris Waller and connections earlier in the month.
An accomplished show jumper, O'Hara said the nine-year-old has already shown he's got the right temperament for an equestrian career and her initial focus will be on building his trust and confidence.
She said there is no timeframe on if and when he will tackle a competitive show jumping class.
"I'm just going to take my time with him," O'Hara said.
"I've only ridden him twice since he's been here, but he seems like he's got a very genuine nature and he's very willing, so I don't want to put that in jeopardy at all by rushing him.
"I want to give him every opportunity to understand what I'm asking of him and to be able to build a relationship with him because he doesn't really know me yet.
"In show jumping you've got to build up a good relationship with the horse and they've got to trust you."
O'Hara said it was her partner Charlie Duckworth's relationship with Nature Strip's owners that prompted their decision to retire the nine-time G1 winner into her care.
She said the gelding's journey will continue to be documented via social media, allowing the racing community to remain invested in his story.
"It's cool," she said.
"I didn't ask for the horse and never really anticipated getting the horse but obviously through Charlie and his association with the horse and the owners, the opportunity came up.
"Part of the plan is for everyone that raced the horse to continue to follow him and stay well updated on his progress.
"He'll be aimed at the thoroughbred classes when he does get up and going and his progress along the way will be kept up to date on social media."
 
 
 
 

Referee Idolmite & the 2 heavyweights locked in battle.  Proving hard to seperate🤣

Good overs there Dave but I am told Bjorn’s pony is extra. Good Exacta bet for me

Correct Idol. Some people don’t know a good thing when it is staring them in the face.
The majority on here are racing fans who thoroughly enjoy the great comps, the topics and the banter, and we should be thankful that Scooby wastes his time and money on providing us with this on-going entertainment.
I’ve told him before that a membership fee is the answer, but to his credit that is not a road he wants to go down as others have.
I know I would miss the site badly if it disappeared. My missus maybe not so much……
 

That's a disappointing read Scooby. I have no idea what's going on/what's being said/where it's being said, but most of us would miss this site hugely if it were to cease, that's for sure. 

Your view is the important one Scooby. Hopefully it isn't as bad as you think. There are quite a few on here who make considered and worthwhile contributions.

That would be sad.

Enjoy it while you can...the platform might not be around for to much longer.

You know what Insider, this site is funded solely by me, most of the comps are funded mostly by me, this costs me about a grand a month minimum to run so I dont appreciate when the FUN comps look like they are not played in the FUN spirit so I will be thinking about what to do going forward. Its not fun for me anymore getting abused by mostly people who dont contribute to the site except to come and play the comps and take pot shots.

Congrats Alan and LJ. A very good win. 

Congrats Alan and LJ. A very good win. 

Week 7 - Flemington Race 9 - Final Race
 
# Name Jockey/Driver/Trainer Win Place 5 Star Patrol Ben Melham 4.60 1.90 1 King Of Sparta Blake Shinn   1.90 8 Benedetta Daniel Stackhouse   1.40 Bet Type Runners Dividend Quinella 1,5 12.00  
 

Thanks mate finally got my groove back great game today

Congrats Alan and LJ. A very good win. 

Congrats Alan and LJ. A very good win. 

I was the opposite I though it ran a good race first up so changed my pick to just her

Flemington
Race 1:  5, 11
Race 4: 6, 9
Race 5: 8, 15
Race 6:  15, 16 BB
Race 8: 5, 6
Race 9:  8
 
Randwick
Race 4: 1,  11
Race 5:  2, 4
Race 6: 1. BB
Race 7:  1, 2
Race 8:  1,  3
Race 9:  8, 11
Thanks John and Scooby and Good Luck to my main man Sayer and to a lesser extent Nicobury and Common Sensical.
I'm on the bus heading back from Paraparaumu and it's pretty full..so if I go down the gurgler today I'm gonna blame it on the fat bas..td sitting next to me who's cramping me and I'm stuck in tight quarters

James Mac gets the Giga Kick ride in The Everest.
https://www.racenet.com.au/news/jmac-lands-ride-on-giga-kick-in-the-everest-20230915

Seems to be all the rage right now following Nature Strip, Eduardo, Annavisto and Masked Crusader.
Off to Oz to be served by Anamoe.
https://www.racing.com/news/2023-09-13/news-lth-shes-licketysplit-retired

I think it's a wise decision.  I think the shorter MV straight is to her advantage with her burst of speed and her ability to run so smoothly on the turn, and if she prefers running that way then all the better.

International ratings for NZ 2yo's last season
Tokyo Tycoon 110
Pignan 109
Ethereal Star 108
Ulanova 107
The Karaka 2yo was rated NZ's best 2yo race by international handicappers.

She looked pretty relaxed on Sunday…….
 

Tokyo Tycoon has been named Champion 2 Year Old!!!!!

She’ll be going to The Everest, just you wait and see. 

A track record. What a win.