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| Staff Writer |
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Champion trainer Chris Waller was pleased with how both of his horses worked ahead of their flight and is confident Australia's Royal Ascot contingent will make their presence felt during one of the world's premier racing carnivals next month.
Waller will put the world's best sprinter Nature Strip and star 3YO Home Affairs on the plane to Europe next week, with that duo joined by Anthony and Sam Freedman's Artorius.
The trio jumped out at Flemington on Friday morning with Nature Strip, as expected, proving too strong over the 900m.
Home Affairs was about two lengths away in second, while Artorius was third the whole way.
Co-trainer Sam Freedman walked out of Flemington a happy man.
"That's as well as he can jump out. He's not a flashy track worker or trialler," Freedman said.
"He had a nice clear out today, that will top him off well.
"He's up against two of the fastest 200m horses in Australia. He was strong to the line."
Nature Strip will contest the Kings Stand Stakes, while both Home Affairs and Artorius will head to the Diamond Jubilee. Waller has not ruled out Nature Strip backing up into that race as well..