Timeform: Waller can quinella Cup with Hawkspur and Royal Descent

SPEED MAP: CHRIS Waller is set to claim his first Melbourne major with the Caulfield Cup - and he will be celebrating with the quinella.

Horses walk through the tunnel underneath the track at Flemington this week. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

SYDNEY'S all-conquering trainer Chris Waller is set to claim his first Melbourne major with the Caulfield Cup tomorrow - and he will be celebrating with the big race quinella.

This is the prediction of form guru Gary Crispe who has selected the Waller-trained duo Hawkspur and Royal Descent to fight the finish of the $2.5 million race.

Waller, who set new standards for Sydney's training ranks last season, has for the first time serious prospects in Melbourne's spring features, saddling up four genuine Caulfield Cup hopes in Hawkspur, Royal Descent, Moriarty and Kelinni.

Crispe said the rapidly improving Hawkspur has emerged as the front runner for the Waller stable.

"Hawkspur caught everyone off guard with the sharp improvement he made prior to winning the Queensland Derby - and he has continued to improve this spring,'' Crispe said.

"It was no surprise to see him burst into spring calculations second up with a dynamic win in the Chelmsford Stakes over the Randwick 1600m, displaying dazzling acceleration to defeat highly rated stable mate Beaten Up by almost four lengths, running to a new master Timeform rating of 123.

"Hawkspur then finished close up in fourth place in the George Main Stakes, just two lengths off Streama after getting a long way out of his ground in a slowly run race.

"At his last start, the Turnbull Stakes, Hawkspur was held up badly for clear running before finishing fifth behind Happy Trails, beaten less than a length. With clear running there is little doubt he would have been right in the finish.

"Despite being beaten, Hawkspur went to a new career peak Timeform rating of 125, a figure that when adjusted for today's weight leaves him the top rated Timeform runner in the Caulfield Cup.''

Horses walk through the tunnel underneath the track at Flemington this week. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Crispe revealed his Timeform ratings have Royal Descent as Hawkspur's main danger while Fawkner, Silent Achiever, Julienas, Moriarty and Jet Away are definite chances.

"Royal Descent had an impressive first preparation last time in work, in seven runs going from a maiden win at Canterbury to one of the biggest wins ever recorded in the ATC Australian Oak, running away from high quality rivals to win by 10 lengths,'' he said.

"She has raced four times this spring and has looked the goods each time.

"Even her last start effort when only 11th in the Turnbull Stakes was still a very good run as badly buffeted early in the race and again in the home straight.

"Royal Descent has a low barrier (three), should get the run of the race and is set to regain her Oaks-winning form.''

Crispe said considering the pre-race options available from the stable to tackle the Caulfield Cup, owner Lloyd Williams has given punters a good lead by accepting with just one horse - Fawkner.

"At one time Williams was toying with the idea of starting a couple of his proven stayers like Seville, Sea Moon and Masked Marvel but in the end elected to rely only on Fawkner,'' he said.

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