Trainer Donna Scott says it feels 'surreal' to be taking on the cream of Australian racing at Randwick today in one of the nation's biggest race days.
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Scott will head to Sydney with Lord Von Costa who is set to clash with superstar sprinter Nature Strip in the Group 2 $500,000 Premiere Stakes, (1200m).
Nature Strip is the world's highest rated sprinter and trained by Chris Waller who is arguably the nation's best trainer.
Star hoop James McDonald will partner Nature Strip who some good judges rate as the premier jockey in the country.
Scott said it was an achievement in itself to have a horse worthy of racing against one of the world's fastest horses.
"To me, it's like having a runner in the Melbourne Cup, taking on the best sprinters in Australia and Nature Strip is the best sprinter in the world," Scott said.
"To be in the same race is unbelievable really.
"It's a bit like David versus Goliath and when I picked this race out months ago I never thought it would also be on the radar of Nature Strip.
"It's very surreal and nerve wracking to know we are taking on the elite of Australian racing.
"You look at some of the names of the trainers in the race and you pinch yourself.
"Us bush trainers usually head to Sydney for TAB Highway's not group races.
"But I'm not getting too carried away and realise Lord Von Costa is a 200/1 shot for a reason.
"It's not our grand final and we are taking the horse up there to give him a blowout and hopefully he gets through unscathed."
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Lord Von Costa's main target is the Kosciusko at Randwick in a fortnight.
While Nature Strip is the $3.50-favourite for the Everest which is on the same day.
Saturday's group race will be a crucial lead-up race for Lord Von Costa who usually performs best second-up from a spell.
Scott is hoping Lord Von Costa can prove competitive and defy his long-shot status against Nature Strip who is the $1.75-favourite.
"I just hope we don't disgrace ourselves on one of the biggest days on the Sydney racing calendar," she said.
"I don't think he will but I don't think I will be able to sleep much on Friday night.
"A lot of people have asked me how close do I think we can get to Nature Strip?
"I'm not too concerned how far we get beat by as long as he performs to his ability and remains on target for the Kosciusko.
"He likes it when the pace is on which we know is going to happen.
"I would like to think we can get within 10-lengths of Nature Strip if he bounces back to his best and wins the race.
"But Nature Strip is considered the fastest horse in the world so if you get by 20-lengths, it probably not even that bad."
Nature Strip has already amassed $5 million in career earnings and incredibly can double that amount if he is successful in the Everest.
Lord Von Costa has won almost $400,000 with four wins from 25 career starts.