Champion trainer Chris Waller will depend on his male gallopers to secure his second Group 1 victory of the season.
Waller claimed the season’s first Group 1 race, the Winx Stakes at Randwick last Saturday, largely with a team of mares. In contrast, for the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, he will deploy three colts and two geldings.
Two of the five entered horses, Angel Capital and Birdman, had a gallop 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.
Buckaroo and Autumn Boy will join this trio.
While rider bookings are still to be confirmed, it has been announced that champion Sydney jockey James McDonald will be in Melbourne to ride at the Memsie Stakes meeting.
“He will be here, but we haven’t worked out what he will be riding,” Waller explained. “We will keep a watch on the weather and what transpires.”
Waller believes Angel Capital is a Group 1 winner waiting to happen and has improved significantly since his return run 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 said. “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 added, “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 finished second first-up in last year’s Memsie Stakes, will be campaigned over shorter distances this preparation.
After finishing second to Via Sistina in the Cox Plate, Buckaroo ran last in the Melbourne Cup. He returned in the autumn but was spelled after only two starts.
Buckaroo has completed three trials in preparation for his return.
“He won a jump-out at Flemington to give him some bragging rights last week and he’s come through that well,” Waller stated. “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 noted that Autumn Boy, who was scratched from the Winx Stakes last week, will remain in Melbourne following Saturday’s event.
“He’s a stallion, a multiple Group 1 winner, and we’re keen to get him to a Cox Plate,” Waller said. “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 confirmed that Beiwacht 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.”
Ready to place a bet on the Memsie Stakes? Explore the best betting sites and apps with sign-up bonus in Australia.