Chris Waller taking the blinkers off Soulcombe to improve his barrier manners in Melbourne Cup

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.

Chris Waller will race Soulcombe without blinkers for the first time in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday but the champion trainer has opted against a crash course in barrier re-education.

Soulcombe, naturally sluggish out of the machine, bombed the start completely in the Caulfield Cup by four lengths.

While Soulcombe, whose ownership includes Richmond premiership stars Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch, recovered to run seventh, Waller cannot afford a repeat next Tuesday.

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“We’ve decided against it (barrier education), I think more is less with the barrier work,” Waller said.

“I think taking the blinkers off and giving him that jog around before the start will be sufficient.”

World class jockey Joao Moreira has been tasked with keeping Soulcombe motivated and engaged behind the barriers on Tuesday to hopefully trigger a faster getaway.

“Might just give him a jog around at the start and get him on his toes a little bit so he’s ready to ping as the barriers open,” Waller said on Friday at Flemington.

Soulcombe won’t be wearing blinkers in the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

“He’s missed the start each time he runs but not as bad as what he did at Caulfield, he lost his chance, if we could step away with them or even one length slow, it would be a big help.

“We think he’s good enough to be fighting out the finish, obviously it’s an amazing race this year, great international representation, good horses from around Australia, last year’s winner, but we think he’s up to it.”

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Soulcombe is $11 with TAB for the Melbourne Cup from Vauban ($3.50), Gold Trip ($4.50), and Without A Fight ($7).

Waller has four potential starters in the Cup including More Felons ($21), Magical Lagoon ($101) and Sheraz ($101).

“Soulcombe is the number one seed (for the stable),” Waller said.

“We’re hoping the two mile distance (3200m) will help the likes of Magical Lagoon, Sheraz and More Felons.”

Originally published as Chris Waller taking the blinkers off Soulcombe to improve his barrier manners in Melbourne Cup