Nature Strip hung on to beat Masked Crusader and Eduardo in the $15 million TAB Everest over 1200 metres.

Sitting in the Union Station Hotel with a group of family, friends and punters, Mr Balderstone cheered wildly with all the patrons as Nature Strip - which he has a 10 per cent share in - won more than $6.7 million in stakemoney for his connections - in just over a minute.

The 84-year-old shouted the 27 patrons at the country pub after the victory as they cried out three cheers to Mr Balderstone which made him as popular as Nature Strip after the victory.

Mr Balderstone, a long-time racehorse owner, said he wanted to have people around him to share in the thrill of Nature Strip's win in the Everest.

"Because of COVID restrictions we couldn't have people around at home so we decided to go to the Union Station Hotel to see the race," Mr Balderstone said.

"Nature Strip was stopping and Masked Crusader was finishing the race off really strongly but we were in front at the finishing line and that's what matters.

IN OTHER NEWS:

"It was a great atmosphere at the pub and I was very lucky to share the excitement with members of my family. including my granddaughter Sarah who works at the pub, and some friends.

"I'm very lucky to own a share in Nature Strip and I was lucky the bill to shout the bar was only $410. It would have been a lot more if COVID restrictions were not in place."

Mr Balderstone took time out to thank Nature Strip's original trainer Robert Smerdon after win.

"Robert encouraged me to buy into the horse," he said.

"Robert said at the time Nature Strip was the fastest horse he's ever trained and now he's the highest rated sprinter in the world."

Nature Strip, who has won 18 of 33 starts, took his stake earnings to $14,953,685 with his Everest victory.

CORONAVIRUS STORIES:

We have removed our paywall from our stories about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we aim to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.