Chris Waller set to have at least 28 entries in quest for third Caulfield Cup
Waller won the Caulfield Cup with Verry Elleegant and Durston in 2020 and 2022 respectively and prepares Aeliana, the $8 favourite in early betting on the 2025 edition of the $5m handicap.
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Aeliana easily won the Australian Derby at Randwick in the autumn and was narrowly beaten in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas last spring at her last Caulfield appearance.
However, Waller has warned punters Aeliana was unlikely to tackled the Caulfield Cup as a four-year-old.
Waller's Caulfield Cup team includes last year's runner-up Buckaroo as well as a host of stable recruits, including the South Australian Derby winner Femminile.
• Mr Brightside 'felt great' in Flemington trial
Phillip Stokes trained Femminile to her South Australian Derby success in May but new owners Yulong Investments transferred the four-year-old to Waller's after her unplaced run in the Queensland Derby.
While Stokes lost Femminile, he has entered the exciting stayer Deakin for the Caulfield Cup.
Deakin has a ballot exemption for the Melbourne Cup after winning the Roy Higgins at Flemington in March.
Waller's team includes several imports that have not yet raced for his stable, including Go Daddy, a multiple stakes placegetter in Europe last year, and Mr Monaco, a lightly-raced son of Territories.
• Brad Waters' horses to follow from Flemington on Saturday
Last year's Caulfield Cup-winning trainer Ciaron Maher will have at least nine entries in this year's race.
The 2024 Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa is among the entries along with recent stable acquisition Zardozi.
Zardozi joined Maher's stable after Godolphin dispersed their massive team among several stables following the departure of private trainer James Cummings to take up a contract in Hong Kong.
Zardozi won the Group 1 VRC Oaks as a three-year-old and finished fourth in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups last year.
Caulfield Cup nominations close at noon on Tuesday.
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