TJ Smith Stakes (Group 1)

NATURE Strip looks primed for Royal Ascot. Having followed Eduardo out of the gates in Saturday’s TJ Smith Stakes jockey James McDonald had to let Nature Strip take up the running at the 800 metres, his freshness evident.

Free flowing through the bend, he had his 10 rivals chasing. Slipped some more rein at the 300m mark, the result was academic as the seven-year-old Nicconi gelding eclipsed last year’s winning margin to win by nearly four lengths to post his third consecutive win in the race.

The Host gelding Eduardo stuck on well for second with the Dawn Approach colt Paulele in third. “It’s just unbelievable isn’t it? Three of them,” said McDonald on dismounting.

“He’s got the Everest, he’s won everything in Australia. He’s just an incredible, incredible horse.”

Ascot confirmed

Trainer Chris Waller confirmed that Nature Strip and Home Affairs will now be set for Royal Ascot.

“I’m sure the main aim is to have him (Nature Strip) back here for the Everest and if we can shoot over and see our friends at Royal Ascot it would be pretty special.

“It’s good to be taking the right horses and these two are the best sprinters in Australia. It would be nice if they could both get there. It’s still a long way off.”

Cult hero Shelby Sixtysix was in the mix for a place finishing seventh, two lengths from third.

“He just hung in up the straight, so there might be something a little bit there. Weight-for-age at 1,200 metres is a different ball game. He did very well,” said Tommy Berry, back on after Robbie Dolan’s cameo at 52.5kgs last time.

A Brightside Doncaster

Doncaster Mile (Group 1)

THE New Zealand-bred Mr Brightside sprung a Doncaster Mile surprise taking out the A$3 million handicap as a 20/1 outsider. It was a maiden Group 1 for the Bullbars gelding who was a four-length fourth to Zaaki at his previous start at set-weights in the All Star Mile.

Dropping to 50.5kgs with Craig Williams in the saddle for Ben and JD Hayes, their first Group 1 win as a training partnership.

“With all of the change we’ve had the past year with Dad (David Hayes) going to Hong Kong and (cousin) Tom (Dabernig) leaving the partnership, to get a result like this with all of our team is just the biggest thrill,” said Ben.

“Mr Brightside is a special horse to us. He was our first city winner and first stakes winner in Victoria and now he is our first Group 1 winner. This has been the long-range plan since he ran fourth in the Cantala Stakes in the spring.”

Second was the Shocking gelding I’m Thunderstruck ahead of the Sacred Falls mare Icebath and the race favourite Forbidden Love.

Godolphin have the first four

IF confirmation of Godophin’s filly stocks are required, look no further than the last on the card at Randwick, the Group 3 PJ Bell Stakes for three-year-old fillies over 1,200 metres.

The James Cummings team provided the first four over the line in the 15-horse race, the daughter of Street Boss, Heresy winning by a half-length from the Brazen Beau filly Zapateo with Arcaded and Larkspur Run, daughters of Street Boss and Shamardal, completing the result.

“It’s my first trifecta,” said Cummings. “It was looking pretty likely at the 250 metres so it’s very difficult to cheer three horses at once.”