The queen of Australian racing teams up with the Queen of England when Carlton House runs at Rosehill on Saturday.
Carlton House, who will make his Australian debut for trainer Gai Waterhouse in the Group Two Ajax Stakes (1500m), is the first horse the Queen has had permanently trained in Australia.
Group One placed in the 2011 Epsom Derby and last year’s Prince of Wales’ Stakes won by So You Think, Carlton House will compete in the Queen’s racing colours – purple with gold braid, scarlet sleeves, black velvet cap and gold fringe.
With Waterhouse’s No.1 stable rider Nash Rawiller sidelined through suspension, Hugh Bowman has been selected to sport the famous silks.
Bowman rides rarely for the Randwick trainer but his experience in England prompted his booking.
“I just felt Hugh was successful enough in England and he understands the different conditions these European horses face when they come to Australia,” Waterhouse said on her blog.
Carlton House is one of three $7.50 equal favourites for the Ajax along with Havana Rey and Lightinthenite.
He is also one of two imports competing for Waterhouse at Rosehill following confirmation Julienas will take his place in the N E Manion Cup.
The gelding was a convincing winner of the Listed Sky High Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill last Saturday despite being wayward in the straight.
“He will back up. I’m very happy with him,” Waterhouse said.
Julienas has only tackled the 2400m trip once before when he was runner-up to Kelinni in the Colin Stephen Quality last spring.
But Waterhouse has no doubts about his stamina and has earmarked him for the Sydney Cup (3200m) on the last day of the autumn carnival.
“Absolutely (he will stay). He’s a big, strong horse and he is much more developed this time,” she said.
