Champion trainer Chris Waller says Buckaroo has “great lead-up form” and is primed for a strong strong assault on the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.
Fresh off a second in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes, Buckaroo is the $4.40 favourite to win the Caulfield Cup, ahead of Eliyass ($7) and Zardozi ($7.50).
While Waller acknowledged winning a Caulfield Cup is tough, he said Buckaroo had surprised even him with his impressive form.
“He’s got great lead-up form, which makes the job a bit easier, it’s just about maintenance and he’s maintained well,” Waller said.
“The way he got around here winning the Underwood was pretty good, I thought at the 500m he looked like the winner but I didn’t expect him to power on and keep running like he did.”
Buckaroo received barrier eight for the Caulfield Cup and immediately shortened from $5 into $4.60 with several notable racing bookmakers.
Waller will also have Land Legend in the Caulfield Cup, with the $8 chance easing in betting, after he received barrier one on Tuesday.
“He worked very well, I think he’s come on well since his Metropolitan win,” Waller said.
“He was only third-up and he’s quite a gross horse and I thought he looked fitter today in the parade ring here and worked accordingly.
“He worked well, recovered well, I think he’s on an upward plane.”
Buckaroo has been partnered by champion jockey Joao Moreira in his last two starts and he will again take the ride in the Caulfield Cup.
Hong Kong-based Zac Purton has the plumb ride on Land Legend, but will be attempting to defy 83 years of history by winning from barrier 1.
Waller’s third runner in the Caulfield Cup is Valiant King, with the five-year-old one to watch, with a potential Melbourne Cup run on his radar.
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