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By Ray Hickson

Verry Elleegant is all set to kick off what is likely her final Australian campaign, Home Affairs is a ‘beast’, Nature Strip has chilled out and Espiona might be the ‘second coming’.

Chris Waller's assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth. (Pic: Kontrym Photo).

That’s Chris Waller Racing assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth’s review of some of the champion trainer’s high profile triallers from Rosehill on Tuesday and you can’t help but prick the ears about that Espiona comment.

Duckworth didn’t say who the unbeaten filly could be the second coming of but regardless it’s a big rap for a three-year-old who is easily the most exciting prospect in the build up to The Star Championships and the autumn carnival.

“She’s outstanding. She’s very lightly raced and up against some seasoned horses there, it’s pretty daunting for them and she’s only a three-year-old filly,’’ Duckworth said on Sky Thoroughbred Central.

“I guess this is what racing’s is all about. These are the times when you dream and you think is she the second coming, where is she going to end up and how good is she.

“I guess all will be revealed in the coming months.”

Espiona finished third in her 900m trial behind Group 1 winner Wild Ruler who ran down TAB Everest champ Nature Strip in the closing stages.

She’s set to resume in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) alongside many of the Waller emerging fillies, the likes of Fangirl and Roots, and was $1.80 favourite for the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) on February 26.

Nature Strip won’t be seen in Sydney again until the Challenge Stakes (1000m) in early March as he will resume in the Black Caviar Lightning.

Duckworth said as the gelding has aged he’s become a lot more comfortable and what unfolded in the trial was ideal.

“You just would never pick him as this hard going type who needs to lead,’’ he said.

“Walking around the stable and in his box he’s like an old hack. He’s a chilled out customer and he’s learning to enjoy his racing more and more.

“It was perfect getting challenged that last little bit to help him find the line without actually having to ask him to do it.”

The seven-year-old is $3.50 favourite with TAB to make it three straight TJ Smith Stakes on Day 1 of The Star Championships.

Horse Of The Year Verry Elleegant will resume in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) on Saturday week and, while she finished at the tail behind Riodini, Duckworth said she’ll be joined by Kolding and Hungry Heart in that race.

The mare is early TAB favourite for the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m), in which she downed Addeybb last year, at $1.90 and the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at $2.30 and equal favourite at $8 in the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

“She’s obviously come back in terrific order, she resumes next week in the Apollo as will the other two out of her heat,’’ he said.

“It’s going to be a long way short of her best but she is a Group 1 winner over 1400m. It’s all very positive at this stage and exciting to get back to the races.

“It’s always a race that we’ve started off many of the great horses in the past and these are no different.”

Espiona runs third in a Rosehill trial on January 31

Hungry Heart stretched out late to run fifth in the trial while Kolding had an easy time in finishing seventh.

Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Home Affairs chased the speedy Embracer home in his 900m trial and Duckworth said he’ll join Nature Strip in the Lightning.

He’s a $13 chance in the TJ Smith Stakes.

“He’s an absolute beast, he’s just really matured,’’ he said.

“I know it sounds silly when you say it because there’s such a short gap between spring and autumn but he’s really blossomed and developed.

“That win in the Coolmore was sensational and he’s really gone on with that and if anything he’s improved so it’s exciting.”

Fellow three-year-olds Ranch Hand, Giannis, Mana Nui and Coastwatch each trialled on Monday morning and are expected to back up in Saturday’s Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

All the results and replays from Monday's Rosehill trials