Champion trainer Chris Waller will rely on the ‘boys’ in his bid to claim a second Group 1 win of the season.
Waller took out the opening Group 1 race of the season, the Winx Stakes at Randwick last Saturday relying on predominantly a team of mares while in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday he will have three ‘colts’ and two geldings contest the race.
Two of the five – Angel Capital and Birdman – ventured to Caulfield on Tuesday morning to gallop on a track softened by overnight rain while Beiwacht, who was scratched from the Winx Stakes with an elevated temperature, galloped and was given the thumbs up by Waller to take his place.
Buckaroo and Autumn Boy will join that trio.
Riders are yet to be booked, although it has been confirmed 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 said.
“We will keep a watch on the weather and what transpires.”
Waller said Angel Capital was a Group 1 winner in waiting and had come on nicely for his return run in Sydney when 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.
“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 a first-up third in the Memsie Stakes last year, will be kept to shorter trips this campaign.
After finishing second to Via Sistina in the Cox Plate, Buckaroo went on to run last in the Melbourne Cup, and while he returned in the autumn, was spelled after two starts.
Buckaroo has had three trials to prepare 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 said.
“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 said Autumn Boy, also scratched from the Winx last week, would remain in Melbourne following Saturday’s outing.
“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 said Beiwacht was given the all-clear by his veterinary team after being withdrawn from the Winx with 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.”
