Old rivals renew hostilities in the Caulfield Cup

Jockeys Joao Moreira and Zac Purton will renew their rivalry when they face off on a couple of Chris Waller-trained stablemates in the Caulfield Cup.

The pair had thrilling battles in Hong Kong over the seasons, bringing out the best in both, but the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday will be a new battle, although Purton does have a win in the feature guiding Admire Rakti to victory in 2014.

Moreira is booked to partner Buckaroo, the horse he rode to victory in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) on September 21 with Purton aboard Land Legend, a last start winner of the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 5.

The pair worked at Caulfield on Tuesday in separate gallops under trusted Waller work rider Steven Arnold, a former noted big-race rider.

Waller said their work was what he wanted to see from the pair ahead of Saturday’s assignment having also accepted with Valiant King and Francesco Guardi, who is the third emergency.

Land Legend drew the inside barrier with Buckaroo drawing in gate eight while Valiant King came up with gate 18 and Francesco Guardi 11.

“We saw with Damian Lane in the Caulfield Guineas that when you hand the horse over to a jockey, they have to make the decisions,” Waller said.

“And those big race jockeys get the decisions right more often than not.

“Joao Moreira, he really is magic, so that’s a big plus, and Zac Purton he’s as good as, and I’m sure he thinks he’s better, than Joao.

“It’s good to have two confident world class jockeys aboard them.”

Buckaroo firmed into $4.20, from $4.40, after the draw while Land Legend remains an $8 chance, while Eliyass, who was the $5.50 second pick pre-draw, eased to $6.50 drawing gate 21.

Waller said Buckaroo, who was gelded after his last preparation, was finally living up to his reputation that enticed Ozzie Kheir and partners to buy into the horse.

“We knew he had the form from Ireland, and it was a matter of recapturing that form,” Waller said.

“I haven’t changed anything (training wise), and I think horses just adapt to Australia over time and racing, but gelding the horse hasn’t hindered him at all.”

Waller was taken with Land Legend’s appearance in the mounting yard at Caulfield on Tuesday prior to the gelding’s gallop.

“I think he’s come on very well since his Metropolitan win,” Waller said.

“That was only third-up and he’s quite a gross horse and I thought he looked fitter in the parade ring before his work.

“I think he’s on an upward plane and I’m hoping he will continue to improve.”

As Waller chases a third Caulfield Cup win after the deeds of Verry Elleegant (2020) and Durston (2022), the preparations are done and it will be up to the trainer’s staff in Melbourne to keep the pair, along with Valiant King and Francesco Guardi, in a happy place until race time on Saturday.

Waller said he does not worry about the form of rivals, or whether it is a strong or weak race, he just worries about preparing his horses to peak come race day.

“Our horses will be well prepared for the race and I’m more of a student on our horses rather than the form,” Waller said.

“The track has a bit of give, which is great, and I think everyone will be happy with that.”