Lookout Nature Strip – Is This The Fastest Horse On Earth?

Nic Ashman Nic Ashman

US sprinter Golden Pal is set to take on Nature Strip at Royal Ascot after a “see it to believe it” victory first-up at Keenland on the weekend.

The Coolmore-owned galloper clocked an amazing 20.94s for his first 400m showing he has some of the best barrier speed on the planet and also signalling to Nature Strip fans that Australia’s Horse Of The Year has his work cut out if he heads to Royal Ascot in June where a clash in the Group 1 Kings Stand Stakes is on the cards.

Trainer Wesley Ward described Golden Pal as a “once in lifetime horse” that “is blessed with speed and agility” and “moves like a cat” following his Shakertown Stakes win.

Ward won the 2009 Shakertown Stakes Cannonball and subsequently ran him down under in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington.

It is understood Chris Waller is meeting with connections of Nature Strip this week to decide on Royal Ascot.

Meanwhile, last season’s Blue Diamond Stakes winner Artorius is fully inoculated for his trip to the UK for a crack at the Platinum Jubilee.

Punters can expect the Freedman-trained galloper to also run in the July Cup at Newmarket.