Chris Waller has set his sights on a second Melbourne Cup victory, leading a formidable five-horse team, including Buckaroo and Valiant King, in the prestigious race on November 7, 2023. Waller previously triumphed in the Melbourne Cup with the champion mare Verry Elleegant in 2021, and he sees similarities in Buckaroo’s preparation for this year’s event.
Buckaroo, a gelding by Fastnet Rock, finished a narrow second to stablemate Via Sistina in the recent Cox Plate. He is currently rated as a strong contender with odds of approximately $9, despite an unlucky ninth-place finish as the favourite in the previous year’s Cup. Jockey Craig Williams, who won the Cup in 2019, will ride Buckaroo from barrier 12 at Flemington.
Waller expressed confidence in Buckaroo’s potential, stating, “He’s got the class and the speed, and it’s very similar form lines to Verry Elleegant when she won the Melbourne Cup.” He emphasized the importance of pacing and conserving energy early in the race to ensure Buckaroo can sprint effectively when it matters most.
Form and Strategy for Melbourne Cup
Alongside Buckaroo, Waller’s other entries include Valiant King and River Of Stars, who both performed well in the Caulfield Cup. Valiant King finished third, while River Of Stars took second place behind the current Melbourne Cup favourite, Half Yours. Both horses will race carrying lighter weights of 51 kilograms and 51.5 kilograms, respectively, in the 3,200-meter handicap.
“The Caulfield Cup has historically been a strong lead-up to the Melbourne Cup,” Waller noted, highlighting the significance of weight in the race. Buckaroo will carry 57 kilograms, a considerable load compared to his stablemates.
While Buckaroo, Valiant King, and River Of Stars are gaining attention, Waller has not overlooked the potential of his other two horses, More Felons and Land Legend, who are rated at $41 and $51, respectively. The unpredictability of the Melbourne Cup was underscored last year when the 80-1 shot, Knight’s Choice, clinched the title.
Waller categorizes his horses into three groups for the race: “You’ve got the form stayers, which are Valiant King and River Of Stars; you’ve got the weight-for-age horse in Buckaroo; and then you’ve got the two horses, More Felons and Land Legend, that just need to improve on the day.”
Race Day Dynamics
Four of Waller’s five horses will start from barriers 10 to 16, with More Felons drawing wide at barrier 23. The positioning of the horses will play a crucial role in their chances, particularly in a race as competitive as the Melbourne Cup.
With Waller’s successful track record and the calibre of horses he is fielding, this year’s Melbourne Cup promises to be an exciting event. As the race approaches, fans and punters alike will be eager to see if Buckaroo can follow in the footsteps of Verry Elleegant and secure a remarkable victory for Waller.
