<h2>Buckaroo Confirmed to Run in Melbourne Cup - Three Point Summary:&nbsp;</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>-Buckaroo confirmed for Melbourne Cup 2025 after strong Cox Plate runner-up performance under trainer Chris Waller</p> <p>-Craig Williams secures the ride on the seven-year-old who will carry 57kg at Flemington next Tuesday</p> <p>-Majority owner Ozzie Kheir draws parallels to Verry Elleegant's successful 2021 Melbourne Cup campaign following similar Cox Plate preparation</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Buckaroo will line up in the Melbourne Cup 2025 at Flemington next Tuesday after majority owner Ozzie Kheir confirmed the Cox Plate runner-up's participation on Wednesday morning.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Buckaroo Gets Melbourne Cup Green Light</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The seven-year-old's path to Australia's most famous race crystallised immediately after his impressive second-place finish in the Cox Plate. Trainer Chris Waller gave the decisive thumbs up, telling owner Ozzie Kheir he "couldn't find an excuse" not to run the horse in the Melbourne Cup 2025.</p> <p>Waller's assessment proved crucial in the decision-making process. The master trainer reported that Buckaroo had pulled up perfectly from his Cox Plate effort, showing no signs of fatigue or concern ahead of the 3200-metre test at Flemington.</p> <p>Craig Williams will take the reins on Buckaroo, who has been allocated 57kg for the Melbourne Cup field. The experienced jockey brings significant Cup experience to the partnership as connections target Australia's greatest racing prize.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Following the Verry Elleegant Blueprint</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Kheir draws strong comparisons between Buckaroo's current campaign and Verry Elleegant's successful 2021 Melbourne Cup victory. The mare also finished runner-up in the Cox Plate before claiming Melbourne Cup glory, providing a proven blueprint for success.</p> <p>"He's not too dissimilar to the position we were in with Verry Elleegant, and that worked out very good in the end," Kheir explained. "He's got a very similar profile to Verry Elleegant, and he's actually got better lead-in form than what she had."</p> <p>The owner admits the Melbourne Cup wasn't initially on the radar before the Cox Plate performance changed everything. Originally considering the Caulfield Cup pathway, connections pivoted to the Might And Power Stakes before the Cox Plate, with Champions Stakes previously earmarked as the likely next target.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Redemption Mission at Flemington</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Buckaroo carries unfinished business into the Melbourne Cup 2025, having endured a torrid run in last year's edition. Despite jumping as the $6 favourite, the gelding found himself three-wide at the rear of the field under Joao Moreira's guidance.</p> <p>While Moreira attempted to circle the field in the straight, Buckaroo could only manage ninth position, finishing just 3.5 lengths behind eventual winner Knight's Choice. The relatively small margin suggests untapped potential on a better day.</p> <p>Currently rated at a $9 chance with Sportsbet for the Melbourne Cup, Buckaroo represents genuine value given his class and recent form surge. Kheir rates him highly among this year's contenders, stating: "I think he's the class horse with Al Riffa."</p> <p>Waller now faces the challenge of having Buckaroo perfectly tuned for the two-mile journey, but his proven track record with staying horses provides confidence for connections heading into next Tuesday's showpiece at Flemington.</p> <p><em>*Markets and odds at Sportbet are subject to change</em></p>