King’s Stand Stakes (Group 1)

CHRIS Waller’s Nature Strip (James MacDonald) gave the wow-factor to Tuesday as the 9/4 shot destroyed his rivals in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes, winning by four and a half lengths from the late-running Twilight Calls (Henry Candy/Ryan Moore).

The 200/1 outsider Acklam Express (Nigel Tinkler/Rowan Scott) was third in a race which took an unexpected turn after a howler by jockey Iran Ortiz saw favourite Golden Pal blow the start before trailing home last of the 16 runners.

There was further drama when Khaadem came out of the stalls sans Jamie Spencer, with the stewards ruling him a non-runner in the circumstances.

An eight-time Group 1 winner in Australia, the eight-year-old Nature Strip held strong claims on paper, and when his main rival missed the kick – Ortiz was unaware that Mondammej had been withdrawn and was looking over his shoulder at that horse when the starter pressed the button, causing his mount to come out slow and unbalanced.

Cruise control

Although he managed to recover to a degree, the damage was done, and MacDonald was in cruise-control mode at the halfway stage. Acklam Express got closest to a challenge and was caught for second only inches from the line.

Nature Strip was also entered in the Group 1 Platinum Jubilee Stakes, and there was history for the double, with both Choisir and Blue Point achieving that feat. Waller sounded rather downbeat about the chances of his star being turned out again so quickly and he didn’t take up the opportunity.

Waller is best known for his handling of super-mare Winx, and he was delighted to have trained his first Royal Ascot winner. Pointing out that both he and the winning rider are from New Zealand, Waller was still content to take the glory on behalf of Australia. “It means a lot,” said Waller. “We don’t get the opportunity very often to come here and take on the English, Irish, French, Americans and even Dubai and Hong Kong runners. To bring a horse here and not only run, but win, is very special.

“Nature Strip is a very good horse and has been for a very long time. He was tricky early on in his career, but he has got better with age, and it is an honour to train a horse like him.”

James McDonald said: “The way Nature Strip quickened up, the way he executed his gallop, was scintillating. It was an unbelievable feel coming up the rise; he was just idling along and, like I said, I didn’t think a horse could come with him, so when the horse appeared without the rider, I did get a bit of a fright.

“It was one of my greatest highlights winning at Royal Ascot on Expert Eye. To come back and win a Group 1 in front of this crowd - it’s unbelievable, it is the best feeling.”