'We have the best sprinters in the world - Nature Strip will be too good'

Treble Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Glen Boss is extremely confident that Australian sprinters Nature Strip and Home Affairs are huge threats in their respective Group 1 races at Royal Ascot next week.

Both trained by Chris Waller, Nature Strip is set to take his chance in the King's Stand Stakes on June 14, while Home Affairs will head for the Platinum Jubilee Stakes on June 18.

Boss, who rode at the track as part of the Shergar Cup in 2006, believes Nature Strip will be far too good for his rivals, which could include crack US sprinter Golden Pal, at the Berkshire track.

"His best is too good, it's as simple as that," said Boss. "He has been the most dominant world-class sprinter for the last two years and we have the best sprinters in the world.

"He only has to be a length off his best to beat them all. He is simply the best. He will be very strong at the end of the race up the hill, I reckon he's a great seven-furlong horse to be honest, so that will suit right down to the ground."

The jockey has partnered Home Affairs just once in his career when ninth in The Everest last October before he blew rivals away in both the Coolmore Stakes and Black Caviar Lightning.

"Home Affairs is an unbelievable, top-quality, rising three-year-old," Boss said. "He has got all the attributes to be very competitive.

"He has got the breeding, the looks, the speed, the power and he's in the right barn. If he brings his 'A' game, he is going to be very hard to beat.

"I reckon Royal Ascot down the straight will suit him. It's a bit of a climb, a bit of a test and with his racing style I think he will be very strong at the end of it."

Nature Strip: set to be one of James McDonald's star mounts during Royal AscotCredit: Matt King (Getty Images)

James McDonald is expected to ride the Waller-trained pair and Boss has every confidence in the jockey, who won at the royal meeting with Expert Eye in the 2018 Jersey Stakes.

"This kid's not fazed by anything, he just knows he's on the best horses," said Boss. "For him it's very simple, just ride them to their best attribute. He rides well and won't be overawed by the occasion.

"You saw his ride in last year's Melbourne Cup, he's not overawed by anything, so he'll get the job done."

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