Nature Strip won a lot of new friends with his fighting fourth in The Everest and everyone is aware of his love for the straight but nothing could prepare for the performance of the glorious looking son of Nicconi in Saturday’s $2 million Group 1 Darley Sprint Classic (1200m) at Flemington.

Simply put, Nature Strip jumped to the front from barrier rise for James McDonald and was still on the bit at the halfway mark while the chasing pack had trouble keeping up.

With a minimum of urging by McDonald, Nature Strip cleared away to defeat the 3yo filly Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) by three and a quarter lengths with In Her Time (Time Thief) back in third ahead of Alizee and the favourite Santa Ana Lane who was never really a factor.

Arrowfield Stud announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in Group 1 2YO winner and Cox Plate G1 runner-up Castelvecchio (Dundeel-St Therese by Dehere).

Ottavio & Wendy Galletta remain in the ownership, John Messara becomes Castelvecchio’s racing manager and the colt will stand at Arrowfield at the end of his racing career.

Awarded a Timeform rating of 124 after the Cox Plate, Castelvecchio is enjoying a five-week break before returning to the stable of Richard Litt to prepare for an Autumn campaign.

Anthony Freedman had one goal with Inglis Easter star Super Seth at the start of this preparation – to win a stallion-making race with him. Problem was, he wasn't sure which one to target.

"I wasn't always convinced he'd run a mile to be honest and being a colt, the goal was to always win one of these (stallion-making races) with him so I thought the Coolmore might be the aim,'' Freedman said.

"But he showed us enough to go in this direction and he's proven himself today.''

Super Seth (Dundeel) came from an impossible position to win the G1 Caulfield Guineas in the final stride, announcing himself not only a star 3YO middle-distance galloper but a valuable stallion-in-waiting.

Dream Weekend For Dundeel

It was truly an exceptional Saturday for Dundeel, sire of Caulfield Guineas G1 winner Super Seth, Spring Champion G1 2nd Castelvecchio & Silver Eagle winner The Inevitable. We are privileged to stand him and very excited about his future!

It takes serious firepower in the white-hot competition of modern Australian racing for a stallion to jump 28 places into third spot on the General Sires’ premiership in a single day. (Super Seth pictured - was a spectacular winner of the $2 million MRC Caulfield Guineas G1.)

That’s what Dundeel did on Saturday, thanks to three outstanding performances by Super Seth, The Inevitable and Castelvecchio. 

They added more than $1.6 million to Dundeel’s prizemoney which now stands at $2.6 million, compiled by 52 runners, the smallest number fielded by any stallion in the top 15. The champion son of High Chaparral is also the new leader on the 3YO Sires’ table with $1,799,775.