Waller Hopes to Run Home Affairs, Nature Strip at Ascot

Trainer Chris Waller has revealed he is looking to run his sprint stars Home Affairs and Nature Strip  in separate races at Royal Ascot when they make the trip over from Australia.

The pair, who have between them racked up 10 group 1 wins earning connections over AU$20 million (US$14,743,282) in prize-money in the process, both figure prominently in the ante-post betting for both the King's Stand Stakes (G1) on the opening day of the royal meeting, June 14, and the Platinum Jubilee Stakes (G1) four days later.

However, that could change significantly after Australia's champion trainer told local media his favored option at present is to keep the pair apart, with Nature Strip being targeted at the King's Stand over five furlongs and his stablemate, who is due to take up stud duties at Coolmore in Australia, being aimed at the six furlong Platinum Jubilee.

"We are keeping our options open with both horses, there is still a long way to go," Waller told The Daily Telegraph on May 4. "But I am leaning towards running Nature Strip in the 1,000-meter race and Home Affairs in the 1,200-meter race."

Fellow grade 1-winning Aussie sprinter Artorius is also pointing towards the Platinum Jubilee.

"He'll trial down the straight with Nature Strip and Home Affairs in a couple of weeks. That'll be the Friday and he'll fly out a few days later," co-trainer Sam Freedman told Racing.com.

The son of Flying Artie, also trained by Freedman's father Anthony, will depart on June 1 and be stabled at Newmarket ahead of his target, where he is set to be ridden by Jamie Spencer.

"He'll be there for two and a half weeks before the race, which is plenty of time and, all going to plan, will be fit and well and not have to do too much," Freedman said.