Chris Waller-trained Buckaroo in 2024 Melbourne Cup picture after brave second in Caulfield Cup

Even a defeat could create an opportunity for owner Ozzie Kheir and trainer Chris Waller, with Caulfield Cup runner-up Buckaroo a notable Melbourne Cup betting firmer after a luckless run.

Even a defeat could create an opportunity for owner Ozzie Kheir and trainer Chris Waller.

Waller prepared the two minor placegetters in the Caulfield Cup with Buckaroo getting within 1-¼ lengths of Duke De Sessa while Land Legend looked a winning chance in the straight before fading to finish third.

Buckaroo’s jockey Joao Moreira said the Underwood Stakes winner found his share of trouble in the $5m race.

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“He run fantastic,” Moreira said.

“He was a bit unlucky, he got checked twice during the race, that put him a little bit too far back, but he hit the line like a champion. Very proud of him.”

Ladbrokes quickly tightened Buckaroo’s Melbourne Cup quote from $26 to $12.

"This is your moment!"

Harry Coffey wins the 2024 Caulfield Cup aboard DUKE DE SESSA! 👑 @[e-mail]/NyMviHWncs

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 19, 2024

• What the jockeys said: 2024 Caulfield Cup

Kheir said Buckaroo’s epic Caulfield Cup performance could sway Waller to test the import over the 3200m of the Melbourne Cup.

“We’ll see how he pulls up then we’ll have a look at it,” Kheir said.

“We said there was no chance of going to a Melbourne Cup, but on that, we’ll have a think about it.

“It looked like he got shuffled back on his run and held up.

“He ran enormous.

“He couldn’t have run any better.”

Buckaroo (centre) and Land Legend (left) chase home Duke De Sessa in the 2024 Caulfield Cup. Picture: Vince Caligiuri / Getty Images

• ‘Battler and country boy’ Coffey now a Caulfield Cup winner

Buckaroo could be one of multiple runners for Kheir’s bid for another Melbourne Cup win after winning the great race with Protectionist and Verry Elleegant in recent years.

Kheir could have another runner in the Melbourne Cup after Wednesday’s Geelong Cup.

“If Birdman wins on Wednesday in the Geelong Cup, he’ll go there and we’ve got a few runners with lighter weights like Interpretation and Valiant King,” Kheir said.

Ladbrokes posted Birdman as the $5 favourite in its ‘all-in’ betting on the Geelong Cup ahead of Francesco Guardi and Muramasa at $7.

Muramasa was scratched from the Caulfield Cup because of the wet track.

Originally published as Chris Waller-trained Buckaroo in 2024 Melbourne Cup picture after brave second in Caulfield Cup