Punters pile in for Chris Waller import Soulcombe on Champions Day at Flemington

A Chris Waller import who was “meant to be flying under the radar” has been the subject of a Cup Week plunge.

Chris Waller’s import Soulcombe has attracted plenty of bets for his local debut at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Mark Evans-Getty Images

Every carnival has a plunge horse and Queen’s Cup favourite Soulcombe could be the one.

Whispers franked by a sustained wagering push suggest the prized import, having his first Australian start for Chris Waller and connections, is the horse in the 2600m event on Champions Day.

Soulcombe, touted as a leading spring Cups prospect next year, has attracted more than a third of the money wagered with TAB for the Queen’s Cup at Flemington.

Soulcombe, the $2.80 favourite, opened $4 last Wednesday before money poured in.

Waller has four stayers in the Queen’s Cup, including Great House ($10), No Compromise ($19) and Kukeracha ($34).

Soulcombe will carry the colours of prominent owner Aziz Kheir.

“He’s meant to be flying under the radar,” Kheir said.

“We bought him as a project horse with Chris and acknowledge he’s not the finished product.

“He’s got a lot of quirks that aren’t great, very immature and he does a lot wrong but we think deep down he’s got a motor, a good engine.

“He’s definitely not the ready-made article.”

Soulcombe will have his first run for Chris Waller in the Queen’s Cup. Picture: Reg Ryan-Racing Photos via Getty Images

The $300,000 Queen’s Cup, a feature race rotated annually from state to state, has been scheduled in place of the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m).

Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Warning, a $19 chance on Saturday, won the race last year.

European-bred stayers dominated the 2600m handicap before Warning, with winners including True Self (2019-20), Jaameh (2018), Vengeur Masque (2017), Francis Of Assisi (2016), Dandino (2015) and Le Roi (2014).

After a character-building spring, prominent owner Kheir could unveil two 2023 prospects on the same day with Pier a $3.90 favourite in the 2000 Guineas on Saturday at Riccarton, New Zealand.

Kheir bought the Proisir three-year-old gelding after his maiden win last August.

Pier won the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas last start by 2.3 lengths.

“The plan is to get him here (Melbourne) and we’re hoping he’ll run in all the big Guineas, here and Sydney, and then hopefully towards a Golden Eagle, if he’s up to it,” Kheir said.

Originally published as Punters pile in for Chris Waller import Soulcombe on Champions Day at Flemington