Chris Waller remains convinced he made the correct decision to bypass the Makybe Diva Stakes with Buckaroo, but the experienced import must overcome another awkward barrier when attempting to recapture the Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.
Buckaroo and stablemate Birdman were withdrawn from last weekend’s Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington, allowing Waller to give both horses another week before stepping them from 1400m to 1800m.
That decision appears logical after each produced an encouraging first-up performance in the Memsie Stakes.
The barrier draw has complicated Buckaroo’s assignment.
The 2024 Underwood winner originally drew barrier eight in the nine-horse field, placing him outside his three Waller-trained stablemates and the leading market contenders.
Aeliana’s subsequent scratching reduces the field to eight and should bring Buckaroo one position closer to the rail, but Mark Zahra must still negotiate a potentially awkward passage from the outside half.
“I think we made the right decision,” Waller said, according to Racenet.
“Birdman and Buckaroo are here Saturday. Birdman was terrific first-up and so was Buckaroo, so both horses are ready to peak hopefully.”
Buckaroo Returns to His Most Productive Race
Few horses in Saturday’s Underwood field possess a stronger record in the race than Buckaroo.
The Irish-bred gelding produced one of the finest performances of his career when winning the 2024 edition by three-and-a-half lengths.
He settled well behind the leaders after beginning awkwardly before sweeping around the field and accelerating clear under João Moreira.
Buckaroo returned 12 months later and finished second behind Sir Delius in the 2025 Underwood, confirming that Caulfield’s 1800m weight-for-age contest suits him exceptionally well.
He now attempts to record a second victory in the race across three seasons.
Buckaroo resumed with a fifth-place finish behind Beiwacht in the Memsie Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield.
He began at triple-figure odds but made steady ground to finish approximately four lengths from the winner.
That performance was encouraging because the distance was considerably shorter than his optimum range and he was always expected to improve as his preparation progressed.
The Underwood provides the ideal second-up progression.
However, drawing outside horses capable of settling closer to the speed may force Zahra to concede ground or use additional energy before reaching the first turn.
Wide Barrier Creates a Tactical Decision
An outside draw is not automatically fatal in an eight-horse field.
Zahra will have enough room to assess the early tempo and avoid becoming trapped extremely wide if several rivals press forward.
The greater problem is the likely race shape.
Lindermann has drawn barrier one and possesses the tactical speed to control the contest from the front or settle immediately behind the leader.
Cosmic Crusader has barrier three, while Birdman jumps from four.
Those draws should allow Buckaroo’s principal rivals to secure economical positions without expending substantial energy.
Buckaroo is more likely to be restrained and allowed to settle near the rear.
That approach would suit his racing pattern, but a slowly run weight-for-age contest could leave him chasing horses that have enjoyed considerably easier passages.
Caulfield’s relatively short straight increases the importance of making the correct move before the home turn.
Zahra cannot afford to wait until every rival begins sprinting, yet improving around the field too early could leave Buckaroo exposed.
The draw therefore does not eliminate his winning chance.
It makes the timing of his run far more important.
Skipping Flemington Was a Sensible Choice
Waller could have run Buckaroo and Birdman in the Makybe Diva Stakes over 1600m at Flemington.
The trainer instead decided that an additional week between runs and a direct step to 1800m represented the better preparation.
Sheza Alibi subsequently won the Makybe Diva in their absence.
Waller acknowledged that result demonstrated the depth of the race, but he has no apparent regret about preserving Buckaroo and Birdman for Caulfield.
“We’ve got a very strong team and fortunately there’s lots of races,” Waller said.
“Running into a horse like Sheza Alibi was tough because we could’ve had another Group 1, but it’s great for racing she’s there.”
The decision was particularly understandable for Buckaroo.
He has established his strongest Australian form beyond 1600m, finishing runner-up in the 2024 Cox Plate after winning the Underwood and placing in several other elite middle-distance contests.
Another demanding run at Flemington could have compromised his preparation for the races that suit him best.
Waller instead arrives at Caulfield believing Buckaroo is ready to produce a peak performance second-up.
Waller Still Holds a Powerful Underwood Hand
Aeliana’s scratching reduces Waller’s representation, but the champion trainer still has three legitimate winning chances.
Lindermann enters the race after defeating Ceolwulf in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes over 1600m at Randwick.
The seven-year-old has not won at Group 1 level since the 2023 Rosehill Guineas but has accumulated five placings in elite company since that victory.
“He deserves his chance at a Group 1 race,” Waller said.
“It was good to see him bounce back to form last start and the 1800m he’ll enjoy.”
Barrier one gives Blake Shinn the opportunity to control the race and make every rival chase.
Birdman also shapes as a serious threat after finishing sixth in the Memsie Stakes.
Like Buckaroo, he was unsuited by the 1400m distance but worked home encouragingly and should improve significantly at 1800m.
Birdman has already demonstrated his effectiveness at Caulfield, winning the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes over the same distance earlier in 2026.
The import’s improvement during his latest Australian preparation was also evident when Ben Melham declared Birdman ready for the Australian Cup following that Peter Young victory.
Waller consequently attacks the Underwood with three horses possessing different tactical strengths.
Lindermann can control the race near the speed, Birdman can settle within striking distance and Buckaroo provides the strongest finishing power.
Cosmic Crusader Sets the Standard
Andrea Leek’s Cosmic Crusader remains the horse Waller’s trio must defeat.
The former Western Australian galloper won the Bletchingly Stakes and P.B. Lawrence Stakes before finishing third behind Beiwacht in the Memsie.
He was forced to settle further back than ideal in the Memsie but still worked home strongly.
The rise to 1800m should suit the reigning Northerly Stakes winner, while barrier three gives William Pike considerably more flexibility than he possessed last start.
Cosmic Crusader can settle closer without being forced to challenge Lindermann for the lead.
That could place him in the perfect position to attack before Buckaroo begins his run from the rear.
The remaining field includes Kingswood, who won the Heatherlie Stakes first-up, Group 1 winner Pinstriped, Attrition and imported stayer Middle Earth.
Kingswood also drew wide but brings proven 1800m form into the contest.
Pinstriped has performed consistently throughout his preparation, while Middle Earth is likely to improve as the distance increases later in the spring.
Underwood Will Shape Buckaroo’s Spring Direction
Saturday’s performance should provide Waller with a clearer indication of where Buckaroo belongs during the remainder of the spring.
The gelding has previously demonstrated the quality required to challenge for the Cox Plate.
His runner-up finish behind Via Sistina in the 2024 edition remains one of the strongest performances of his career.
However, Buckaroo must prove he retains that level as an eight-year-old.
A strong Underwood performance would keep him on a weight-for-age path towards another Cox Plate campaign.
A less convincing effort could encourage Waller to reassess his targets or concentrate upon races in which tempo and distance provide a more favourable setup.
The trainer has given Buckaroo every opportunity to arrive at Caulfield in peak condition.
He resisted the temptation to run at Flemington, provided another week of recovery and brought him back to a race he has already won decisively.
The barrier is the complication.
Buckaroo possesses the closing speed to overcome it, but he may need to concede a tactical advantage to Lindermann, Cosmic Crusader and Birdman before the race has properly begun.
Waller believes the preparation decision was correct.
Zahra must now ensure the draw does not make it appear otherwise.
