Royal Ascot News: Waller not afraid to wail after emotional Nature Strip win

And the Australian trainer wasn't afraid to express his emotions or pride in sending such a brilliant winner to Ascot.

While Wesley Ward's much vaunted Golden Pal fluffed the start and didn't last the distance, Nature Strip shaped every inch the champion to win the five furlong Group 1 by four an half lengths from Henry Candy's Twiiglight Calls.

"It's just an honour to be able to bring a horse here, we have been treated so well, like royalty in fact," Waller said.

"The horse has been too. We're in awe of European racing and to be able to bring a horse here finally, after covid, to showcase a horse in such a brilliant race, it is important. It's been a privilege to be part of his career."

Nature Strip was based at Lambourn for his European adventure and it's fair to say the locals took to the rapid raider from Down Under.

"We could see that they were treating us with open arms, the locals around Lambourn were saying 'come on, you've got this!'.

"We were just trying to keep things calm, the overall thing I've noticed is the way that people have welcomed us, post-covid, not just the horse but the people and the jockeys. There are so many rivalries between different countries on a racetrack, it's magical."

The size of the achievement isn't lost on Waller either.

"I get emotional when horses win but to win here, I won't say it's second to nothing, but in terms of winning horse races it's just a dream.

"For a trainer, a strapper, a jockey. For the punters, when they follow horses and they win like he did there, it's special.

"It's a great story. That's what racing is, it brings a lot of countries, religions, races, gender, everybody together.

"They love the horses and it can bring everyone together. It's been very special.

"Back home, the ones that couldn't make it, I think they'll be pretty proud of him."