Track gallops and the weather could determine the make-up of Chris Waller’s team in the Caulfield Cup.
Waller has six of the 34 horses that remain in contention for 150th running of the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday.
Safely in the field are Pinhole, equal first but unlikely to run, Ohope Wins (15), Asterix (17), Wootton Verni (19), Soul Of Spain (21) and Valiant King (31).
The safety limit is 18 plus four emergencies.
Pinhole earned a ballot exemption with his win in the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, but post-race Waller said he favoured setting the imported stayer on a path towards the Melbourne Cup either via the Geelong Cup, the Moonee Valley or the Bendigo Cup.
The remaining five stayers could all head to Caulfield on Tuesday to gallop before a final decision is made on which horses will run.
Final acceptances for the Cup are at 9.30am on Tuesday with the barrier draw to follow.
“We could potentially have five, or maybe three,” Waller said.
Ohope Win is working towards the 2400m journey having been successful at the trip in the Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick in April.
Waller said Valiant King would run if he can get into the field.
“Wootton Verni, may run, but I want to check the weather forecast with him,” Waller said.
“He needs some rain and I just want him to settle a bit as well.
“Soul Of Spain, he ran second in the Sydney Cup and third the other day in The Metropolitan while Asterix, he got keen and didn’t get into a rhythm last time.
“They will come here on Tuesday morning and I’ll have a look at them and decide.”
Waller will be attendance on Tuesday to watch his Caulfield Cup Day runners go through their paces as the Rosehill course proper will be open for gallops on Monday allowing him to stay in Sydney to watch his team prepare for The Everest meeting.
With two wins in the Caulfield Cup, Waller has some fabulous memories of the race, non-more so that Verry Elleegant’s win in 2020.
“It’s a great Club. They do a great job 365 days of the year,” Waller said.
“They’re always asking questions, what can we do to improve, what can we do to help.
“What’s your opinion on the track. They’re a forward-thinking group and they keep raising the bar which hasn’t been easy.
“Verry Elleegant was an important win and historically it’s a great form race for the Melbourne Cup.
“I remember Veandercross not winning the Caulfield Cup. I would have been in New Zealand then because my boss (Paddy Busuttin) had Castletown run it.”
