Champion trainer Chris Waller made a rare trip to Caulfield on Tuesday morning to oversee Fangirl’s preparation for Saturday’s Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m).

The star mare was withdrawn from last weekend’s Winx Stakes at Randwick due to the heavy conditions, instead floating to Melbourne that night to kick off her spring campaign at Caulfield. Waller said the visit was about more than just a workout – he wanted to see how she adapted to the Caulfield environment.

“She’s a sweet girl. Nothing fazes her and race day, you press the button and she explodes,” Waller said. “If she gets around Caulfield, she will be exciting to watch.”

With Mark Zahra in the saddle, Fangirl galloped alongside stablemate Moira, impressing Waller with her professionalism. “It was nice work. She had a good look around and that was the reason for coming,” he said. “She’s pretty fit, she was ready to race last week. She’s settled in well at Flemington and looks right on her game.”

While acknowledging the 2025 Memsie has attracted one of the toughest fields in years, Waller is adamant Fangirl has the class to be in the finish. “Barrier draws and luck in running can play a big factor, but if luck goes her way, she can be fighting out the finish,” he said.

The trainer is yet to finalise which stablemates will join her. Moira may instead head to the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Moonee Valley as a lead-up to the Underwood Stakes (1800m), while Anisette is also under consideration. Buckaroo, last year’s Underwood winner, could either line up in the Memsie or be held back for the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) in Sydney.

“Since the Melbourne Cup last year, Buckaroo hasn’t quite found that form, but I’m confident he can get back to it,” Waller said.

Punters can back Fangirl and her rivals in the Memsie Stakes through Australia’s leading betting sites.