<\/p>\n
For the second year in a row Chris Waller will be gang tackling the Melbourne Cup with five runners and with what assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth says is an is an even squad.<\/p>\n
Duckworth said obviously he could make a case for the three horses who are high in the betting which are Buckaroo, Valiant King and River Of Stars but he\u2019s not dismissing the outsiders, Land Legend and More Felons.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s awesome we have five runners and you can genuinely make a case for each of them. I\u2019m thinking about the post-race interview and sometimes you struggle to find a reason why they won but I can for each of them. It will be easy,\u201d he told Racing.com<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an exciting position to be in. We\u2019re privileged.\u201d<\/p>\n
Duckworth said in evaluating their barriers draws which were Buckaroo (12), Valiant King (10), River Of Stars (14), Land Legend (16) and More Felons (23) it might not matter on the day.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the rain comes, the track may play completely differently,\u201d Duckworth said.<\/p>\n
DUCKWORTH ON THE QUINTET<\/p>\n
Buckaroo
\u201cHe\u2019s the risk horse. He\u2019s a genuine weight-for-age horse and we could have run over 2000m on the Saturday but we\u2019ve opted to run in the 3200m handicap which after last year is still unknown as he raced so wide and covered so much extra ground. We don\u2019t actually know whether he\u2019s a genuine two miler or is he so genuine he always tries his heart out. It\u2019s good to see him draw 10 so as long as he can get an economical run so he can be ridden to see out the two miles. We\u2019ll be trying to win the race over the last 200 metres.\u201d<\/p>\n
Valiant King<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll relish the two miles and he\u2019ll be improved even more over that distance. He\u2019ll appreciate a solid tempo as he did when he won The Bart Cummings. When he took he absorbed the pressure and took off. He\u2019ll be the crowd pleaser if the rain comes. He\u2019ll plough through the wet.<\/p>\n
River Of Stars<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s been flying under the radar. She needed the distance to be competitive. She loves the wet and the distance. She\u2019s got a nice draw and weight. She\u2019s a genuine hope.\u201d<\/p>\n
Land Legend<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s the only one with a blemish. He was only beaten three lengths last year and he over-raced. He did things wrong. He\u2019s a better horse this year, he\u2019s more settled. He worked well this morning. Last start was a total disaster. He sat three wide and was last and covered excess ground. He\u2019s capable of bouncing back. We know he stays.\u201d<\/p>\n
More Felons<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a genuine two miler. We know he stays. He\u2019s won over the jumps. His run in the Metropolitan was great as he carried a big weight and his last 600m was great. He flew home. He\u2019s a sneaky chance. The draw is going to be tricky.\u201d<\/p>\n
WATCH: Ultimate internationals form guide<\/p>\n
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