Home Affairs was sent off as favourite but has failed to pull off a famous Australian double for trainer Chris Waller.
Waller was hoping his 5-2 favourite would cap a glorious week by winning the Platinum Jubilee Stakes on the final day of the royal meeting on Saturday.
Following stablemate Nature Strip’s brilliant win in the King’s Stand Stakes on the opening Tuesday, the money piled in for the two-time Australian Group 1 winner.
But Home Affairs, piloted again by James McDonald who’d steered Nature Strip to victory, ran out of steam by the furlong pole, and was swallowed up by the field as Naval Crown, a 33-1 outsider ended up winning ahead of his Godolphin stablemate Creative Force.
While Home Affairs ended up trailing home 20th of the 24 runners.
But there was some good news for the Aussie challenge as another raider Artorius dead-heated for third with America’s Campanelle.
Artorius could take on the Godolphin pair again at Newmarket, with Henry Field, managing director of part-owners Newgate Stud, eager for a rematch.
He said: “He was huge, that is the style of the horse that he is. He didn’t quite get there, but the trip away has done him the world of good.
“Sam Freedman is one of the most astute young trainers I have ever come across. Anthony (Freedman, joint trainer) and Sam have done a wonderful job with him.
“So as long as he comes through the race well, there is no doubt we will run in the July Cup in a few weeks.
“He could not have run any better, he has made us very proud, we would love for Australia for him to have won, but there is no question it was the run of the race. He is an elite talent.”
© AAP