Chris Waller is hoping lightly raced stayer Kadavar can be the next rising star to emerge from the Lord Mayors Cup (2000m), a race that has recently unearthed future Group 1 contenders.

With past winners like Polly Grey, Bois D’Argent, and Eliyass all reaching elite company, the stable has high expectations for Kadavar, who capped a strong summer with a win in the Christmas Cup (2400m).

“He could potentially be a Melbourne Cup horse for us,” said assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth. “He might just have two runs this prep and then be set for spring.”

Kadavar resumed with a fast-finishing seventh in the Scone Cup, a run Duckworth described as unlucky. With Rachel King riding in Brisbane, Kerrin McEvoy steps in to pilot the gelding on Saturday.

“Rachel was full of praise for his effort. The step to 2000m should be ideal,” Duckworth added.

The Waller team has four horses entered in the race, with First Light and Speycaster set to join Kadavar, while Etna Rosso is a dual acceptor also entered for the Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

Speycaster has struggled in recent starts in Melbourne, and Duckworth is hoping a return to Sydney helps him recapture his form. “He’s had his issues with tempo and track conditions, so we’ll see if a change helps,” he said.

Wiremu Pinn, now riding for Waller during a three-month Sydney stint, takes the reins aboard Speycaster.