Leading trainer, Chris Waller, has declared his intent for another Caulfield Cup assault, nominating a staggering 32 horses for this year’s $5 million feature.
Waller’s entries make up more than 20 per cent of the total nominations received by the Melbourne Racing Club by Tuesday’s deadline, as he eyes a third win in six years.
His recent Caulfield Cup triumphs include Durston in 2022 and the champion mare Verry Elleegant in 2020. Last year, Waller came close again with Buckaroo and Land Legend finishing second and third respectively behind Ciaron Maher’s Duke De Sessa.
In total, 146 horses were nominated for the 2025 Caulfield Cup, down from 173 the previous year. The drop in international participation was particularly notable—just 12 overseas-trained horses feature among the entries, compared to 36 in 2024.
Renowned Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien, who had 19 entries last year, has nominated just one horse this spring: Mount Kilamanjaro.
Meanwhile, Ciaron Maher—who saddled last year’s winner—has entered 25 horses as he aims to claim his third Caulfield Cup and defend his 2024 title.
