Golden Pal v Nature Strip: Wesley Ward and Chris Waller on their sprint stars

Tuesday: 3.40 Royal Ascot
King's Stand Stakes (Group 1) | 5f | 3yo+ | ITV/Sky

There is a good chance that Australian champion Nature Strip is the best sprinter in the world. He won the Everest in October and won his third TJ Smith Stakes last time over the same 6f course at Randwick.

That virtually all of his form is at Randwick or Flemington does not diminish his claims on being the world's best. It also puts down many of the concerns about this track. Sprints at Flemington are run on a straight, flat six-furlong course and Nature Strip is equally adept over both of the main sprint trips, so a stiff 5f will be fine.

Indeed he would have beaten Home Affairs (favourite for Saturday's Platinum Jubilee Stakes) in the Lightning Stakes over that distance at Flemington had he not been slowly away.

Ground is another issue. Nature Strip generally races on ground described locally as 'soft' or 'heavy', but has shown he is capable on 'Good 4' Australian ground, which British fans would understand to be on the fast side of good.

Fast ground would be of no concern to Golden Pal, who won last year's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint on firm. He has looked a world-beater everywhere but Britain so far, not that his two runs here provide any conclusive evidence.

Wesley Ward is hardly shy about his horses but has reserved special praise for Golden Pal. This is a horse with supreme early pace, so it is not hard to see where the affection comes from. Yet caution with Ward's proclamations is always recommended and the stats tend to agree.

Ward's Royal Ascot record is excellent, so it is particularly notable just how modestly his shortest-priced runners fare. Of his 12 horses sent off at 100-30 or shorter, only two have won.

It is the quiet ones that have built Ward's superb Royal Ascot record, so it would be advisable to ignore the hype surrounding Golden Pal and take him on his own merits. They are compelling enough.

The two big raiders are both drawn middle to high. They are pace angles themselves and it should be noted that, with one or two exceptions, most of the early speed is away from the wings. Depending on how jockeys view the ground, the King's Stand could be a mad dash down the middle.

The home challenge comes mostly from last month's Temple Stakes. Winter Power (a wide pace angle from stall one) was below form that day, and she now needs to be treated as a York specialist until she proves otherwise.

Mondammej finishing close up at Haydock is part of the reason to sound caution over the first two that day, King's Lynn and Twilight Calls. Those two also got the best tow through the race so are not necessarily big improvers, although Twilight Calls clearly has the scope for it so early in his career.

It would not be a surprise were Man Of Promise to emerge as the best of the British-trained contingent. The Charlie Appleby-trained five-year-old has not run domestically for nearly two years and has instead raced exclusively in Dubai since being gelded.

The way he went through the Group 1 Al Quoz sprint at Meydan last time suggests it is worth a first try at 5f. He was last off the bridle and only lost second in the dying strides.

This race must have been high on the priority list for a European campaign, so expect him to be fit. It might be that the key form in the King's Stand comes from abroad, just not where most people are looking.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

'He's ready to go' – Nature Strip out to reign supreme for Australia

Legendary Australasian trainer Chris Waller believes success in the King's Stand Stakes would be the perfect crowning moment of Nature Strip as a world champion as his star bids to end a ten-year hoodoo for Australia at Royal Ascot.

One of Australia's best sprinters of his generation with eight Group 1s, an Everest Stakes win and nearly £10million in earnings on his CV, Nature Strip embarks on his first international venture with the weight of the nation behind him.

He also bids to become the first winner for the country since Black Caviar's dramatic Diamond Jubilee win in 2012 and Waller's breakthrough Royal Ascot success, having been narrowly denied with Brazen Beau in the same race in 2015.

Choisir, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti and Scenic Blast all took the King's Stand for Australia this century and Waller believes Nature Strip is now ready for the biggest test of his career on the global stage.

Chris Waller (right): was pleased with Nature Strip's Ascot outing last FridayCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He's done everything he needs to do in Australia to be recognised, but it's another big step with him tomorrow. It won't be easy," he said. "The depth of sprinters will make it a really tough contest, but it's what the punters want.

"You're always cautious right up until raceday as things can go wrong as soon as you step off the plane, but we're looking forward to the day and will be excited if he's there in his best possible shape."

Nature Strip rounded off his preparations with a first feel for the Ascot turf in a workout last Friday morning, which Waller is confident has left him at the peak of his ability.

"His piece of work at Ascot was exactly what we wanted without taking the edge off of him. He did all his main work before coming over," he added.

"It's been maintenance work and making sure he's recovered from the flight, which he has. He enjoyed the day out, which also included a two-hour journey in the truck. It opened his airways up and he's now ready to go."

'He's very special' – Ward excited for Golden opportunity

Royal Ascot success has become an annual gift for Wesley Ward, but the US trainer is determined to add Golden Pal to his roll of honour at the prestigious meeting in a global sprint clash for the ages.

Ward has regularly lauded his star as the fastest horse he has ever trained and he oozed speed when winning the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint last November, but he has failed in two attempts in Britain when a narrow runner-up in the 2020 Norfolk Stakes before disappointing in last year's Nunthorpe.

Golden Pal and Irad Ortiz won the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint last NovemberCredit: Edward Whitaker

However, the American handler remains convinced his star can put his best foot forward and give him a second King's Stand success, having won with Lady Aurelia in 2017.

"He's been beaten twice in England, but I'm excited to have another try," Ward said. "He's very special, he's very quick out of the gates and just keeps going. Most sprinters that go as fast as him can't maintain that speed."

Twilight leads the British call

Three wins and just under £63,000 in earnings puts Twilight Calls's career achievements in perspective compared to the global honours of his heavyweight rivals, but Henry Candy hopes his progressive performer will make Britain proud as he spearheads the home team.

The Cheveley Park-owned four-year-old took another step in the right direction when a narrow runner-up to King's Lynn in the Temple Stakes last month and Candy thinks there is more to come, with Ryan Moore booked to ride for the first time.

Twilight Calls (far): set for a rematch with Temple Stakes conqueror King's Lynn (purple)Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"It's a very exciting race and it's fantastic we can be part of it. We'll see if they're as quick as they live up to against us!" he said.

"He seems to be in great form and is very happy. He ran really well at Haydock the last day and I don't know about the unlucky part the last time. Adam [Kirby] thought he didn't give him the best of rides but I was perfectly happy with it. It was a cracking run from him."

What they say

Charlie Hills, trainer of Equilateral and Khaadem
Both are in great shape. Equilateral runs well fresh and we gave Khaadem a nice break after Newmarket, which was great to a Group win for him. He's showed a lot of speed and has ran well at Ascot before at the top-level. It should suit him.

Stuart Williams, trainer of Existent
I'd have preferred to have not been drawn on the wing and it's a tough race with the overseas horses, but we're in the mix with the British and Irish-trained ones. It was a very encouraging run in the Palace House and we didn't expect Haydock to suit him, so he had excuses last time.

David Probert, rider of King's Lynn
He was pretty good in the Temple Stakes and we've been very pleased with how he's going. We're just drawn away from the pace but he's very talented and was quite unlucky in the race last year. He's hopefully got a live chance.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Lazuli and Man Of Promise
Man Of Promise is a horse that runs well fresh, it's a key tick in the box for him. Coming back to the stiff five will suit, as well as the track and trip. Lazuli has a lot of natural pace and looks like a good, old-fashioned style sprinter. It's going to be a great race.

Michael Browne, trainer of Logo Hunter
It's a hot race. He'll give a good account of himself, he's in good form. He travelled over super, he never turned a hair, and he's moving well. He'll have to be on top of his game but if he ran into the frame it would be great. We're there and we've to make the best of it.

Clive Cox, trainer of Tis Marvellous
He's in excellent form. He enjoys his days racing at Ascot and his form is very strong there. It's a very competitive Group 1, but he's an exciting horse at the track and last year's form proved he's as good as ever. Hopefully we can put in another strong performance at his favourite track.

Jack Davison, trainer of Mooneista
Everything's 100 per cent and I'm looking forward to the race. A good pace will suit her. I'm happy with everything and I'm looking forward to letting her do the talking now.

Tim Easterby, trainer of Winter Power
She's in great form and I've been very happy with her work since Haydock. She'll like the ground and the draw has been kind to her too. I'm hopeful she'll run a big race.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

Tuesday at Royal Ascot:

2.30 Ascot: 'He's improving all the time' - find out who reckons they can beat Baaeed

3.05 Ascot: 'I really do believe he's the real deal' - Hannon excited about Coventry chance

4.20 Ascot: Charlie Appleby bullish over 2,000 Guineas hero Coroebus in St James's Palace

5.00 Ascot: Royal Ascot or Cheltenham? It's Mullins v Elliott again in Ascot Stakes

5.35 Ascot: 'Hopefully he has a big chance' - Juan Elcano bids for a second Wolferton win

6.10 Ascot: is Aidan O'Brien's runner a handicap blot in the Copper Horse?

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