Champion trainer Chris Waller is relying on a team of ‘boys’ to capture his second Group 1 prize of the season.

Waller secured the season’s opening Group 1 event, the Winx Stakes at Randwick last Saturday, with a predominantly mare-based squad. For the upcoming Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, he will field three colts and two geldings.

Two of the five contenders, Angel Capital and Birdman, galloped at Caulfield on Tuesday morning on a track softened by overnight rain. Beiwacht, a scratching from the Winx Stakes due to an elevated temperature, also galloped and received Waller’s approval to compete.

Buckaroo and Autumn Boy will complete the five-horse team.

Rider bookings are yet to be finalised, but it has been confirmed that leading Sydney jockey James McDonald will be in Melbourne for the Memsie Stakes meeting.

“He will be here, but we haven’t worked out what he will be riding,” Waller commented. “We will keep a watch on the weather and what transpires.”

Waller considers Angel Capital a Group 1 winner in waiting, noting his considerable improvement since his initial run back in Sydney, where he finished third in the Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on August 8.

“It’s only bad luck that is holding him back from being a multiple Group 1 winner,” Waller stated. “He’ll get his chance on Saturday, but I am a little bit concerned about the track. His better form is on better tracks, but the beauty of Caulfield is it does dry very well. The 1400 metres is a good distance for him, and he normally runs well at Caulfield. He’s come on well and if anything, better than I thought. He’s held his weight as he’s a mature colt now.”

Regarding Birdman, Waller said, “Birdman, Jye McNeil was aboard, and he said he felt great, had a good attitude. He found good form down here in the autumn and he carried it right through to Brisbane, winning the Doomben Cup. He resumes ahead of a good preparation, we hope.”

Buckaroo, who finished second first-up in last year’s Memsie Stakes, will be kept to shorter distances this preparation.

After securing second place behind Via Sistina in the Cox Plate, Buckaroo finished last in the Melbourne Cup. He returned in the autumn but was spelled after just two starts.

Buckaroo has completed three trials to prepare for his return.

“He won a jump-out at Flemington to give him some bragging rights last week and he’s come through that well,” Waller explained. “We will target shorter races with him this prep. He does hold an entry for the Caulfield Cup, but I think we will stick to 1800 metres, might stretch him to 2000 metres, but he has come back with plenty of enthusiasm.”

Waller mentioned that Autumn Boy, also scratched from the Winx Stakes last week, will remain in Melbourne after Saturday’s race.

“He’s a stallion, a multiple Group 1 winner, and we’re keen to get him to a Cox Plate,” Waller said. “There’s lots of options down here and once he gets out to 1600, 1800, 2000 metres, he will be a horse to be reckoned with.”

Waller confirmed that Beiwacht was cleared by his veterinary team after being withdrawn from the Winx Stakes with an elevated temperature.

“His blood profile was back to normal yesterday and the vets allowed us to gallop him this morning, and he galloped well,” Waller stated. “Providing he comes through the work well, we will accept with him on Wednesday.”

Check out the latest racing odds for the Memsie Stakes with leading Australian betting sites.