Champion trainer Chris Waller is preparing a multi-pronged assault on the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield as he looks to repeat Buckaroo’s victory from last year.

Buckaroo will again spearhead the stable’s challenge over 1800m, with Anisette and Moira also confirmed while River Of Stars and Land Legend remain possible inclusions.

Buckaroo signalled his readiness with a fast-finishing third in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes first-up, a run that pleased his trainer.

“It was an awesome return,” Waller said. “We were left wondering where he was after the autumn. Maybe he is a much better horse in the spring. He’s had a trial and the 1800 metres of the Underwood should suit him perfectly.”

Anisette resumes her build-up after running sixth in the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes and missing a scheduled run at Moonee Valley. She looked sharp when winning a jump-out at Flemington on Friday.

Moira, fourth in the Lawrence and runner-up in the So You Think Stakes, is expected to be well-suited third-up. “She’s got the right profile third-up and Group 1’s are not unusual for her to be running in. We’re quietly confident she can take the next step,” Waller said.

River Of Stars, who could be Waller’s leading Melbourne Cup hope, is gradually stretching out in distance, while Land Legend is being aimed at the Caulfield Cup via the Turnbull Stakes.

“Once she gets out to the Caulfield Cup we’ll know whether she’s a genuine Melbourne Cup horse,” Waller said of River Of Stars. “Land Legend is ticking along OK, and he might run in the Underwood on his way to the Turnbull and Caulfield Cup.”