News

Australian stars Wandjina and Brazen Beau ready for Royal Ascot showcase

19th Jun 2015

Sydney Morning Herald - by Chris Roots - Thursday, 18 June 2015

If there is a centre to the racing world surely Royal Ascot is it. In a sense it is the home of the sport of kings and Australia's best trainers are ready to annex it in the Diamond Jubilee on Saturday.

Gai Waterhouse has been there before. She has had a private audience with Queen Elizabeth and this time arrives with the perhaps underrated sprinter-miler Wandjina. It is the horse she believes can win at the Royal meeting.

"He seems like the right horse to deal with the track. He has stamina and speed," Waterhouse offered. "He has pleased me and just being here has lifted his profile according to Henry Field from Newgate Farm.

"The whole world is here and if you want to showcase a horse you have to come to Royal Ascot. Everyone gets to see them and we get show our best horses because only the best get here.

"It is likely to be his last run and what better way to go out than winning in front of the Queen."

Waterhouse and father Tommy Smith have dominated Australian racing for more than 50 years but it is the man that has risen to the top in the past 10 years, Chris Waller, who has the Diamond Jubilee favourite Brazen Beau.

He has an Australian record 14 Group 1 wins for the season but Saturday on both sides of the world will be special. Brazen Beau gives him his first international runner, while Catkins will attempt to win her first Group 1 in the Tattersall's Tiara at the Gold Coast.

Waterhouse is an extrovert, her acting past and self-confidence shine through. Waller is more measured. He has been known to shed a tear after winning a Group 1. Those moments are where you get an insight into the man.

He is determined and hard working, leaving nothing to chance and it is in victory that he allows himself a little reflection.

Waller's enormous team has dominated Sydney racing in particular, but this season it has stretched to Group 1s around the country and now the world. He has been blown away by his English experience.

"The 14 Group 1s have been good, every one is, but this another level again," Waller said. "In terms of experience for me, it's a new level.

"There is so much heritage and history."

Brazen Beau has followed the proven path to Royal Ascot success by winning a Group 1 Melbourne autumn sprint. Choisir, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti, Scenic Blast, Starspangledbanner and Black Caviar all took a Group 1 form reference from Melbourne on their successful tilts.

Waller is a great planner and he opted to miss another payday in the TJ Smith after winning the Newmarket Handicap. He has also pleased Waller since arriving.

"The horse is exactly where we want him to be, he has put on weight … and hence for the reason for stepping up [his work]," Waller said. "We are very happy."

Brazen Beau, like Wandjina, heads to a new career after Saturday standing as a stallion at Darley.

Wandjina came through a different path to Brazan Beau, winning the Australian Guineas before going down in a photo finish to Dissident in the All Aged Stakes at Randwick in April.

"He is tough. You saw that last start and that's what you need at Ascot," Waterhouse said. "He is such a lovely free-going colt and his coat is gleaming. He has done a treat since coming over here.

"He is going to give a big sight."

Waterhouse revealed she had been asked to present a trophy during Saturday's meeting but hopes to receive the Diamond Jubilee silverware from the Queen.

"I have done it before [present trophies] and will do it on Saturday again," she said. "It was nice to be asked.

"I have met the Queen before when her racing manager come and took me up to speak with Her Majesty and she is wonderful. It would be a great achievement for me to win a race at her meeting."

Meanwhile back in Australia, Waterhouse has to wait to see if Tattersall's Tiara pre-post favourite Najoom will get a run in the final Group1 of the season after she was made second emergency.

"It is frustrating because we missed the Stradbroke where she was favourite because of a nick on a leg to run in this race," Waterhouse said.

"We are just going to have to wait and see if she gets a run. If she does, she will be hard to beat."

Waterhouse and Waller will both be up early in England to watch the action from Australia on Saturday and in particular the Tiara.

Waller's racing manager Liam Prior will deputise for the trainer at Gold Coast as the ever-consistent Catkins looks to cap a great season for the stable.

"I know Chris would love to be there because it is Catkins," Prior said. "She is such a special mare to everyone in the stable and I don't think anyone could deny she deserves a Group 1.

"It has been the plan all along to get to this race, like Royal Ascot with Brazen Beau, and we get with her in top condition.

"I just hope we can both pick up trophies on weekend."