Wandjina Royal Ascot bound

Gai Waterhouse believes Wandjina's stamina could prove crucial when he bids for Royal Ascot success in next month's Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

The Snitzel colt won the Australian Guineas over a mile back in March but is set to drop back to six furlongs in Berkshire, with Waterhouse seeing similarities with 2010 winner Starspangledbanner.

"He's a very athletic horse that is exceptionally light on his feet and I think the closest horse to him that's won at Royal Ascot was Starspangledbanner and this colt reminds me very much of him," she told www.racing.com.

"Wandjina's a horse that's won the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) that is also very effective over 1400 metres which is important.

"Even though the distance is 1200 it's not like what we have in Australia, it's quite gruelling and it needs a horse that can finish off and he certainly can."

Wandjina worked over four furlongs under Damien Oliver at Flemington on Friday morning, finishing on the heels of fellow Royal Ascot-bound runner Brazen Beau and leaving Waterhouse full of hope.

She added: "We wouldn't be going unless we were confident and Ollie will be the right man for the job, he's a great thinking jockey and he's riding on the Tuesday before which I'm very pleased about."

Brazen Beau's trainer Chris Waller was similarly pleased with the efforts of his charge, who worked under Craig Williams.

Winner of the Group One Newmarket Handicap on his most recent outing in March, the son of I Am Invincible has the option of either the Diamond Jubilee or the five-furlong King's Stand Stakes at Ascot.

"That was exactly what we wanted to see a few weeks away from a very big race on the other side of the world," Waller said.

"We're unlikely to make a decision (on which race he contests) until acceptance time.

"Brazen Beau needs a good track so it's very important that he runs on a good surface so I guess the weather will determine which way we head.

"If the weather forecast suggested that it was going to be a really fine week then I'd be leaning towards the Diamond Jubilee over the 1200 metres but he's ready to run in either race."