Buckaroo and Valiant King are primed to lead Chris Waller's remarkable five-horse assault on what could be the master trainer's second Melbourne Cup triumph this afternoon.
Waller won the race that stops a nation with Verry Elleegant in 2021 and likened Buckaroo's build-up to that of the champion mare in her successful Cup tilt.
The Fastnet Rock gelding was a narrow second to stablemate and reigning Australian horse of the year Via Sistina in the Cox Plate.
Buckaroo, to be ridden by 2019 Cup-winning jockey Craig Williams out of barrier 12 at Flemington today, is rated as about a AUD$9 chance after finishing an unlucky ninth as last year's favourite.
Waller says he has got the class and the speed and it's very similar form lines to Verry Elleegant when she won the Melbourne Cup.
The Melbourne Cup race will start at 4pm this afternoon.
[Source : ABC]
