Ascot raiding party: Waller likely to split star sprinters for royal meeting

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 ten Group 1 wins earning connections over AU$20 million in prize-money in the process, both figure prominently in the ante-post betting for both the King's Stand Stakes on the opening day of the royal meeting, June 14, and the Platinum Jubilee Stakes four days later.

However, that could change significantly after Australia's champion trainer told local media his favoured option at present is to keep the pair apart, with Nature Strip being targeted at the King's Stand over 5f and his stablemate, who is due to take up stud duties at Coolmore in Australia, being aimed at the 6f 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 Wednesday. "But I am leaning towards running Nature Strip in the 1,000-metre race and Home Affairs in the 1,200-metre race."

Fellow Aussie sprinter Artorius took his first step towards his trip to Royal Ascot when he took in an easy trial at Balnarring on Wednesday morning.

The winner of last year's Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes ran second, being asked for very little, with his next trial set to be more of a test.

"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, the Platinum Jubilee, 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.

"He'll probably just have to do one piece of work and then run in the Platinum Jubilee."

King's Stand Stakes card and betting

Platinum Jubilee Stakes card and betting

Read more international stories here

No Arc bid for Melbourne Cup star Verry Elleegant but Ascot trip a possible

'He reminds me of Sottsass' - Rouget in raptures over Al Hakeem after Listed win

Family ties to the fore as Titleholder earns Arc price cut after Tenno Sho romp

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.