It's all systems go for Australia's leading sprinter Nature Strip, who will head to Royal Ascot in June to compete in the King's Stand.
The famous five-furlong race has taken place during the Royal Ascot carnival annually since 1860, with plenty of world-class sprinters taking it out over the years.
Following a third-straight victory in the TJ Smith Stakes in early-April, Chris Waller is already working with the seven-year-old ahead of his trip overseas.
Waller told Racing.com following the victory that he would be hoping to take Nature Strip to Royal Ascot and fly the flag for Australia.
"I'm sure the main aim is to have him back here for The Everest and if we can shoot over and see our friends at Royal Ascot it would be pretty special," he said.
"Everybody respects Australian racing, especially our sprinters. It would be great to take horses like him and Home Affairs over there and put that flag up pretty high.
"He's got a cult following and most people really appreciate the horse for what he is. He's very special, he puts them under a bit of pressure."
Connections have clearly given Waller the green-light to take Nature Strip overseas, after the legendary trainer posted the following footage via social media on Tuesday morning.
Small steps but the uphill road to the @Ascot straight! 🤞#naturestrip #roadtoascot pic.twitter.com/biVmUimFHA
— Chris Waller Racing (@cwallerracing) April 12, 2022
Nature Strip may not be the only well-known horse travelling over to England in June, with Queen Elizabeth Stakes placegetter Zaaki also potentially being lined up for a tilt.
Originally from the UK, the seven-year-old has been racing in Australia since March 2021 and has had great success, winning three Group 1 events as well as the recent All-Star Mile.
Speaking to Sky Racing, trainer Annabel Neasham said she wouldn't rule out sending the gelding over to Royal Ascot, but admitted her main priority is the Cox Plate.
“A few options are up in the air," she said.
"Possibly head back up to Queensland with him for the Doomben Cup. I suppose Royal Ascot could be on the cards, but there’d be a bit of logistics to work out there.
"The Cox Plate in the long-run (is the target) after having to scratch him on race morning last time was tricky. We’ll sit down with the owners this week and figure out where he goes – he could even go to the paddock.
“I’d never be afraid to travel a horse if I thought I had the right one. Not just Royal Ascot, I’d love to take horses anywhere.
"I'd never be afraid to travel a horse if I thought I had the right one."
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 12, 2022
Ascot is not off the cards for ZAAKI says @annabelneasham. 👀🌎🎩 pic.twitter.com/r5rnAt83zd
"Zaaki I had originally hoped to take to Hong Kong – with COVID it’s just not possible.
"It would be amazing to take the horse over to Royal Ascot."
