Royal Ascot Day 5 Preview

Australian sprinter Brazen Beau is aiming to round off a truly international racing extravaganza by winning the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on the final day of another memorable Royal Ascot.

Travelling horses half way around the world is no easy task, but trainer Chris Waller has mastered most facets of the training business in his years in the top bracket in Australia, and he is relishing this latest challenge.

Five Aussie sprinters have won at the Royal meeting in the past 12 years. This notable group are headed by Choisir, who won both the King's Stand and Diamond Jubilee in the same week in 2003.

Others from Down Under to etch their names on the Royal honour board were Takeover Target, Miss Andretti, Scenic Blast and Black Caviar. All were stars in their own right, and all did their native country proud.

Now it is the turn of Brazen Beau, who has already been snapped up for stallion duties by Darley. This four-year-old son of I Am Invincible (by Invincible Spirit) has won five of his 10 starts, including the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington, Australia's premier sprint and one of the toughest races in the country.

Waller has kept Brazen Beau fresh for the trip to Royal Ascot. He has not run since March when he beat the best sprint field assembled for some time, including Chautauqua and Terravista.

He is a very sharp type, who can travel comfortably anywhere in the field, though Craig Williams should not be far from the leaders. Williams takes over from Joao Moreira, who was required back at his home base, Hong Kong, this weekend.

Dermot Weld sends out Mustajeeb in the colours of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the four-year-old has very strong claims. He won last year's Jersey Stakes at the Royal Meeting, and recently, regular rider Pat Smullen advised connections that the colt would be better confined to sprints.

Mustajeeb recently won a six-furlong G2 sprint at the Curragh, so the jockey's advice appears to be spot on.

Gai Waterhouse saddles Wandjina, winner of the one-mile Australian Guineas at Flemington, with Damien Oliver to ride. The step back in trip will not worry him.

Godolphin field two runners in the opening Chesham Stakes, Cymric, a very nice Kitten's Joy colt trained by John Gosden, and the Michael Halford-trained Tonkinese, an Authorized colt who won a maiden at Leopardstown on his second outing.

Cymric worked well enough last Tuesday to encourage his trainer to have a crack at the Chesham on debut.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor is optimistic about the chance of Godolphin's First Flight in the Wolferton Handicap. The four-year-old meets the unbeaten Mahsoob on 5lb better terms for half a length and a neck for finishing third to him in a handicap at York last month.

Saeed said: "He's in good condition, he's been working nicely. I am very hopeful."

Groundbreaking, trained by Charlie Appleby, is the second of the Godolphin runners in a very interesting Wolferton. The Andrew Balding-trained Collaboration will be suited by the race conditions and is in top form.

Saeed says it is hard to get a line on Kickboxer, the Godolphin runner in the Wokingham, judging by his work at home. "He does nothing in the morning, but he's a different horse when he gets to the races. He is a chance in an open race."

The remaining Godolphin runner is Marzocco in the Queen Alexandra, the staying marathon that brings the curtain down on a great week of racing.