Racing: Waller prefers Diamond Jubilee for sprinter

Photo / Thinkstock

Chris Waller is favouring the Diamond Jubilee Stakes as the Royal Ascot race for top-class colt Brazen Beau.

"I'm still a few days off making a final decision because I want to see what the weather forecast is like," Waller said. "If it is okay then the Diamond Jubilee is the race we'll more than likely run him in."

The trainer also has the option of starting Brazen Beau in the King's Stand Stakes, the highlight sprint on the first of five days of racing at Royal Ascot tomorrow week (NZT).

"The Diamond Jubilee will give him a chance to show his class at 1200m, whereas the King's Stand is a straight-out sprint," Waller said.

Brazen Beau will be one of four Australian horses to race at Royal Ascot and if the 3-year-old is saved for the Diamond Jubilee on the final day of the carnival he will meet the Gai Waterhouse-trained Wandjina.

Shamal Wind will be a King's Stand Stakes starter and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Criterion is being aimed at the Prince Of Wales' Stakes.

Set to stand at Darley's Northwood Park in Victoria in 2015 after a stud deal was finalised after his group one Coolmore Stud Stakes win last spring, Brazen Beau is being trained out of Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin Racing stables at Newmarket.

Waller will head to England tomorrow to put the finishing touches on Brazen Beau's preparation.

• The regally-bred Wonder Kid will do his future racing in Hong Kong after his debut win at Mornington, Victoria, yesterday.

Wonder Kid is a 3-year-old by champion racehorse and sire Lonhro out of Valkyrie Diva, a half-sister to three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva.

Dean Hawkes, who manages the gelding for owner Kenny Cheng and partners Hong Kong trainer Ricky Yiu when he comes to Australia for yearling sales, says Wonder Kid will leave Australia as soon as possible.

"We've waited a while but this win qualifies him and he'll be booked on the first available flight to Hong Kong," Hawkes said.

"We always knew he had a bit of ability but he's had a few issues over the last 12 months or so.

"He's finally come good and he does like a bit of cut in the track which helps."

Ridden by Mark Zahra and sent out the $2.90 favourite in the Toronado @ Swettenham (1200m), Wonder Kid raced on the speed and kicked clear in the straight, holding off Strong Hand ($3) by a long neck with Unruly Student ($8) 2 lengths away third.

- AAP