Feature 2025 Spring Racing entries close, Aeliana warning remains

The Spring Racing Carnival will gain greater clarity on Tuesday with the closing of nominations for the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate, but trainer Chris Waller has warned that Aeliana may not be heading to the former.

Despite a dazzling five-length victory in the Australian Derby (2400m) earlier this year, Waller remains hesitant to target the Caulfield Cup with the four-year-old mare.

“I don’t normally push our four-year-old fillies, as I call them, to a Caulfield Cup,” Waller said. “She will be nominated but it would be unlikely.”

His track record with young mares in the race supports the cautious approach. Previous runners include Charms Star, Toffee Tongue, Youngstar, and Royal Descent—none of whom managed to hit the board.

Still, the market has Aeliana installed as the $8 favourite for the $5 million Caulfield Cup on October 18 and an $11 contender for the Cox Plate seven days later.

Waller’s Cox Plate team is expected to be strong, led by Via Sistina, and likely including Fangirl, Buckaroo, and Lady Shenandoah. Buckaroo is also among the leading Caulfield Cup entries after finishing second last in the race last year.

Due to more than 150mm of rain in recent days, the scheduled Tuesday trials at Randwick have been postponed to Thursday. Aeliana and Lady Shenandoah are expected to trial in Heat 2, while Via Sistina and Fangirl line up in the opener. Autumn Glow and Wodeton are also set to trial.

Ciaron Maher’s stable will unveil several stars as well, with Jimmysstar, Another Wil, Light Infantry Man, Gringotts and Zardozi on trial lists, along with Vauban, Linebacker and Stefi Magnetica as part of a bumper session.