Soulcombe primed for 2023 Melbourne Cup, but don’t discount other Chris Waller runners

Soulcombe is Chris Waller’s No.1 seed for the Melbourne Cup … but assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth believes the stable’s other three runners offer great value for punters.

Chris Waller will saddle up Soulcombe (behind), More Felons, Magical Lagoon and Sheraz in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup. Picture: Vince Caligiuri / Getty Images

Soulcombe remains Chris Waller’s No.1 seed for Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup after drawing perfectly but assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth insisted that punters shouldn’t discount the stable’s three other runners.

Waller will gang tackle the race with four runners – Soulcombe, More Felons, Sheraz and Magical Lagoon – in his quest to add a second Melbourne Cup to his trophy cabinet.

He won the 2021 race with Verry Elleegant and while Soulcombe ($11) is his only runner this year near the top of the market, Duckworth warned not to discount their less fancied horses.

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“It is the race that still stops the nation and to have four still there is a great result,” Duckworth said.

“Last year we had none going to the race, so we have come back with a bang and now we have four horses in the race.

“I know the odds don’t suggest they are all chances, but I think you can genuinely make a case for all four of them.”

Chris Waller believes Soulcombe has the ability to be fighting out the finish in the Melbourne Cup but has to find a fix for his slow starts.

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He said Soulcombe deserved to be considered their best hope, despite his habit of badly missing the start.

“We hope he will begin that little bit better,” he said. “He has been throwing away races giving too much of a start, but from that draw (gate four), if he can begin, he is going to be right in there.

“We bought him 13 months ago with the Melbourne Cup in mind … he has come here and drawn a beautiful barrier. It is good when a plan works out, now it is down to the horse.”

He said Irish Oaks winner Magical Lagoon, in barrier seven, had “plenty of class and I don’t think the two miles will be an issue at all.”

Duckworth said More Felons’ barrier 24 was not ideal but he was confident they would come up with a plan to combat the wide gate.

He said Sheraz, in gate 22, wasn’t as bad as the $101 price on offer.

Originally published as Soulcombe primed for 2023 Melbourne Cup, but don’t discount other Chris Waller runners