<h2>Buckaroo Eyes Melbourne Cup Return – Trifecta Summary:</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>- &nbsp; Chris Waller confirms Buckaroo is a "big chance" to contest the 2025 Melbourne Cup following his strong Cox Plate performance</p> <p>- &nbsp; The gelding finished ninth in last year's Melbourne Cup but trainer believes he was unlucky and deserves another shot at Australia's greatest race</p> <p>- &nbsp; Buckaroo pulled up well from his Cox Plate second and will undergo scans before a final decision on Melbourne Cup participation</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Waller Optimistic About Melbourne Cup Return</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The champion trainer's confidence in Buckaroo's Melbourne Cup prospects stems from both the gelding's recent form and his unlucky ninth-place finish in last year's race that stops the nation.</p> <p>Waller recently revealed he'd reviewed footage of Buckaroo's 2024 Cup performance and believes the seven-year-old deserves another crack at the 3200-metre feature.</p> <p>"He was very unlucky in the Cup last year," Waller explained. "It's tough when you don't have things go your way in the Melbourne Cup because you only get one chance a year."</p> <p>The trainer's assessment aligns with that of majority owner Ozzie Kheir, with both parties agreeing that circumstances beyond the horse's control hampered his chances in Australia's most prestigious handicap.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Strong Spring Preparation Building Cup Case</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Buckaroo's 2024 spring carnival campaign has provided plenty of evidence for another Melbourne Cup tilt, despite the gelding failing to register a victory.</p> <p>His consistent performances include runner-up finishes in both the Cox Plate over 2040 metres and the Underwood Stakes at 1800 metres, plus third placings in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) and Might And Power Stakes (2000m).</p> <p>The Cox Plate performance was particularly impressive, with Buckaroo finishing second to stablemate Via Sistina in a thrilling finish that delivered Waller a historic quinella - the first trainer to achieve this feat since 1961.</p> <p>"I thought Treasurethe Moment was the winner at the 250m and then ours started to make that ground up," Waller recalled of the dramatic Cox Plate finish. "To see them fighting the finish out, it's a pretty surreal feeling when you've got two stablemates going for it."</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Final Preparations Underway</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>While optimistic about Buckaroo's Melbourne Cup chances, Waller maintains a measured approach to the final decision.</p> <p>The gelding was scheduled for scans following his Cox Plate effort, with the trainer keen to ensure the horse's wellbeing remains paramount.</p> <p>"We just need to make sure we're not going beyond what he can't do - he hasn't run over 2400m this year, he's sort of had a more Cox Plate prep," Waller acknowledged. "But knowing that he's been to the distance of two miles, that's a tick from me."</p> <p>The trainer's cautious optimism reflects his understanding of the Melbourne Cup's unique demands, while recognising that Buckaroo has previously handled the staying test required for Australia's greatest horse race.</p> <p>Horse racing betting markets will likely respond to Waller's positive assessment, with punters keen to back a proven Group 1 performer who appears to have found his best form at the right time of year.</p>