Chris Waller prepares horses for Cox Plate and Caulfield Guineas

Trainer Chris Waller has confirmed that Autumn Boy will travel to Melbourne next week to compete in the Cox Plate following a difficult run in the Epsom Handicap. Despite being held up on the inside during the Epsom, Waller stated that the three-year-old remains on his spring target path.

Waller also noted that Lady Shenandoah has arrived in Melbourne for the Toorak Handicap. The decision to move the mare to Melbourne was influenced by the availability of jockey James McDonald, who expressed comfort with the assignment despite the barrier draw.

In preparation for the Caulfield Guineas, Waller’s runners—including Tron Bolt, Diameter, Central Europe, and Somethings Burnin’—recently completed training gallops at Caulfield to acclimatize to the track and race-day environment. However, the barrier draws presented challenges for the stable, with Tron Bolt drawing gate 11 and Diameter drawing gate 9. Waller noted that wide draws require jockeys to rely on luck and speed to secure a winning position.