'He's a foolproof horse' - Chris Waller set to unleash pair of sprint superstars

Chris Waller has predicted his stable's two superstar sprinters Nature Strip and Home Affairs need only replicate their best form to be in a with a major shout of delivering an Australian revival at Royal Ascot.

Waller was discussing his team at a media morning at Ascot, where he also spoke exclusively to the Racing Post for a major interview in Sunday's newspaper in which he talks about how he rates himself against other top international trainers, the challenges facing the sport globally and the pleasure and pressure associated with guiding the career of Australian turf icon Winx.

Nature Strip, the world's highest-rated sprinter and behind only Baaeed in the latest Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, will take on the Wesley Ward trailblazer Golden Pal in Tuesday's King's Stand Stakes (3.40), while the Coolmore-owned Home Affairs is set to tackle the Platinum Jubilee Stakes (4.20) on Saturday.

James McDonald will ride both horses, with Australian racing fans hoping to end a ten-year wait for the nation's first Royal Ascot winner since Black Caviar.

"What they did this morning was their first piece of fast work for two weeks, so they needed a bit of stimulation," said Waller, who previously sent out Brazen Beau to finish second in what was then the Diamond Jubilee.

"I learned from the Brazen Beau trip that it would be achievable to one day win a race here. We almost pulled it off, and we almost got it right, so not much has changed. We have horses with the right credentials."

Waller greets Nature Strip (left) and Home Affairs after their Ascot workoutCredit: Edward Whitaker

Assessing the stablemates, Waller said: "Nature Strip has really matured into a foolproof horse. He was a little bit hit or miss in his early career because he used to charge and race very fiercely. He broke his competitors' hearts, but he occasionally broke his own heart as well by going too quick. Through maturity we've managed to harness that and he is now more tractable.

"Home Affairs is very good over 1,200 metres, provided he settles, and we have done a lot of work with him on that. I loved his jumpout at Flemington before getting on the plane – he relaxed very quickly, which is what he will have to do to win.

"If there are other horses who want to go quick, we'll let them. Both Nature Strip and Home Affairs only need to replicate their Australian form to be capable of fighting out the finish with the best in the world. That's all we're concentrating on."

Read more from Chris Waller in The Big Read, available in Sunday's newspaper or online for Members' Club Ultimate subscribers from 6pm on Saturday. Click here to sign up.

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