Is the top of Chris Waller Racing’s Facebook page set for a change after the final day of Royal Ascot 2026 on Saturday?
Nature Strip is the feature image from his Royal conquest in 2022 and Joliestar is out to join him as an international winner for Australia’s premier stable in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
Waller has been in England for the past week and the experience of Nature Strip and others gives him a base line for Joliestar, who comes off an unbeaten autumn campaign, including victories in the Canterbury Stakes and TJ Smith.
“Being here is important to see the little things that make you more comfortable,” Waller told Betsy.
“She is coming off her best preparation and she looks great.”
“She has travelled really well, and we are very happy with her. She’s ready to go.”
Nature Strip won a TJ before he won the King’s Stand Stakes on the opening afternoon of the Royal meeting.
“You are always learning when you come over here and Nature Strip made us aware of few things that help Joliestar,” Waller said.
“She is in fantastic order, and I can’t fault her.”
“There are few things, different over here, working on straights, but she has just handled everything well.”
Joliestar breezed up a final work out at Lambourn with regular work rider Chris Harwood saying, “she did it so easy.”
“She is starting to carry on a bit, which I take as a good sign,” he continued.
Waller was happy with a middle draw of gate nine for the $3.25 favourite, even though the outside draws down the Ascot straight have been favoured all week.
“I have been watching that, but they tell me it evens out on the last day,” Waller said. “That’s why we have a jockey of the world in James McDonald.”
“He has been riding so well here this week and is a big advantage for us.”
“He will put her in the best position, and if she runs up to her form in the autumn she will be very hard to beat.”
“We have to respect the others in the race because they are also coming from around the world.”
“But we are very comfortable that she is near her top for the race.”
