2. Buckaroo (12)
Weight: 57kg
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Craig Williams
Career: 31: 5-6-6
Odds: $9.50 / $3.40
The other one of Chris Waller’s real live hopes comes into this race with highly credible form after finishing a nose behind Via Sistina in the Cox Plate and only narrowly missing earlier in his prep in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes.
The seven-year-old gelding didn’t live up to the hype last year in the Cup, where he finished ninth and 3.5 lengths off the winner, but looks primed for another tilt.
Could he follow the same path as Verry Elleegant in 2021, where the legendary mare placed in the Cox Plate before bolting to victory in the Cup less than a fortnight later?
It’s a very strong chance of happening, especially after drawing a nice barrier, with the distance his only query.
