Chris Waller looks set to unleash one of the most formidable teams of his training career in Saturday’s Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield, as he eyes consecutive victories in the prestigious 1800-metre contest.
The master Sydney horseman, who is never short of depth in his ranks, will once again rely on proven star Buckaroo, last year’s Underwood champion, as he bids to defend the crown. But Waller won’t stop there. Alongside Buckaroo, stablemates Anisette, Moira, River Of Stars, and Land Legend are all under consideration for the $750,000 feature, giving him enviable firepower heading into one of Melbourne’s key spring lead-ups.
Buckaroo Leads the Charge
The spotlight naturally falls on Buckaroo, who returned to Caulfield late last month with a brave third in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m). That effort, his first appearance since the autumn, provided Waller with plenty of confidence that the gelding is back to his best.
“It was an awesome return,” Waller said. “We were left wondering where he was after the autumn. Maybe he is a much better horse in the spring as his autumn form the year before wasn’t much better. He’s had a trial and the 1800 metres of the Underwood should suit him perfectly, but I would have liked to have been third-up in the race.”
Buckaroo’s ability to perform fresh and improve with racing is a hallmark of Waller’s conditioning. While the trainer would ideally prefer the Underwood as the gelding’s third run back, the Memsie performance suggests Buckaroo remains a potent force, particularly at Caulfield where he already boasts Group 1 success.
Anisette Out to Rebound
Anisette is another intriguing runner in Waller’s team. The mare had a respectable first-up effort when finishing sixth in the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m), but her campaign has been slightly disjointed after she was scratched from the So You Think Stakes. Instead, Waller turned to a Flemington jump-out last Friday, where she impressed in company with Buckaroo and River Of Stars over 1000m.
“Her first up run was good, and she missed a run in the So You Think at The Valley, hence the reason she had the trial,” Waller said. “There was a glimpse of form in the P B Lawrence.”
For Anisette, the Underwood represents a crucial chance to show she can step up to the elite level this spring, particularly with bigger targets still to come.
Moira’s Consistency a Key Weapon
While Buckaroo and Anisette bring talent, Waller has been especially encouraged by Moira’s consistency across her Melbourne campaign. The mare has raced every fortnight, finishing fourth in the P B Lawrence and then runner-up in the So You Think Stakes.
“Her run was probably slightly better than Anisette in the Lawrence and her run the other day was good,” Waller explained. “She’s got the right profile third-up and Group 1’s are not unusual for her to be running in. We’re quietly confident she can take the next step.”
Moira’s durability and ability to back up quickly are valuable traits during the hectic spring carnival, and she looms as one of Waller’s genuine chances to cause an upset.
River Of Stars and Land Legend With Cups in Sight
Beyond his headline act, Waller also has two gallopers using the Underwood as stepping stones toward even grander prizes. River Of Stars and Land Legend are being set for longer-distance assignments, particularly the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
“She’s just gradually going through her distances at the moment. Once she gets out to the Caulfield Cup we’ll know whether she’s a genuine Melbourne Cup horse, so she may run there (on Saturday),” Waller said of River Of Stars.
Land Legend, on the other hand, remains on a steady path towards the Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup. “Land Legend is ticking along OK, and he might run in the Underwood on his way to the Turnbull and Caulfield Cup,” Waller confirmed.
Both horses are unlikely to be at peak form over 1800m but remain critical players in Waller’s long-term carnival strategy.
Waller’s Spring Blueprint
The Underwood Stakes has traditionally served as a launching pad for Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate hopefuls, and Waller’s decision to bring such a powerful contingent underlines his intent. Last year, Buckaroo delivered him the win, but this year’s edition could showcase the extraordinary depth of his stable.
By placing Buckaroo, Anisette, Moira, River Of Stars, and Land Legend all in contention, Waller is not only covering multiple bases but also maximising his chances of repeating his Group 1 triumph.
As the Caulfield spring carnival heats up, all eyes will be on whether Buckaroo can etch his name into history with back-to-back Underwood victories—or whether one of his stablemates seizes the spotlight. Either way, Waller holds the aces heading into Saturday’s showdown.
