Champion trainer Chris Waller is set to rely on his male contingent to secure his second Group 1 victory of the season.
While Waller secured the season’s opening Group 1, the Winx Stakes at Randwick last Saturday, with a predominantly mare-based team, his assault on the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday will feature three colts and two geldings.
Two of the five runners, Angel Capital and Birdman, were given a workout at Caulfield on Tuesday morning on a track softened by overnight rain. Beiwacht, who was a late withdrawal from the Winx Stakes due to an elevated temperature, also galloped and received the all-clear from Waller to take his place in the Memsie.
Buckaroo and Autumn Boy will join this quartet.
Riding engagements are still being finalised, however, it has been confirmed that champion Sydney jockey James McDonald will be in Melbourne for the Memsie Stakes meeting.
“He will be here, but we haven’t worked out what he will be riding,” Waller stated. “We will keep a watch on the weather and what transpires.”
Waller believes Angel Capital is a Group 1 winner in the making and has shown significant improvement since his initial run back in Sydney, finishing third in the Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on August 8.
“It’s only bad luck that is holding him back from being a multiple Group 1 winner,” Waller commented. “He’ll get his chance on Saturday, but I am a little bit concerned about the track. His better form is on better tracks, but the beauty of Caulfield is it does dry very well. The 1400 metres is a good distance for him, and he normally runs well at Caulfield. He’s come on well and if anything, better than I thought. He’s held his weight as he’s a mature colt now.”
Regarding Birdman, Waller noted, “Birdman, Jye McNeil was aboard, and he said he felt great, had a good attitude. He found good form down here in the autumn and he carried it right through to Brisbane, winning the Doomben Cup. He resumes ahead of a good preparation, we hope.”
Buckaroo, who secured a first-up second in last year’s Memsie Stakes, will be campaigned over shorter distances this preparation.
Following a second-place finish to Via Sistina in the Cox Plate, Buckaroo ran last in the Melbourne Cup. Despite a return in the autumn, he was subsequently spelled after only two starts.
Buckaroo has undergone three trials in preparation for his return to racing.
“He won a jump-out at Flemington to give him some bragging rights last week and he’s come through that well,” Waller confirmed. “We will target shorter races with him this prep. He does hold an entry for the Caulfield Cup, but I think we will stick to 1800 metres, might stretch him to 2000 metres, but he has come back with plenty of enthusiasm.”
Waller also mentioned that Autumn Boy, who was also scratched from the Winx Stakes last week, will remain in Melbourne following Saturday’s race.
“He’s a stallion, a multiple Group 1 winner, and we’re keen to get him to a Cox Plate,” Waller explained. “There’s lots of options down here and once he gets out to 1600, 1800, 2000 metres, he will be a horse to be reckoned with.”
Waller provided an update on Beiwacht, confirming he received the all-clear from his veterinary team after being withdrawn from the Winx Stakes due to an elevated temperature.
“His blood profile was back to normal yesterday and the vets allowed us to gallop him this morning, and he galloped well,” Waller said. “Providing he comes through the work well, we will accept with him on Wednesday.”
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