Soulcombe clears out to win the Queen’s Cup at Flemington last year.Credit:Getty
“We just left the blinkers on him on race day because we didn’t want to change anything,but I don’t think he needs them,” Waller said. “He works very well without them,and it’s a small change that might help him.
“I’m very comfortable that it is the right decision after talking to my riders in the morning.
“We have got here with him running in the races we have wanted,and up until the Caulfield Cup,I would say he was going exactly the way I wanted.
“But I feel this a small change that will make a big difference.”
Soulcombe had won the Heatherlie Handicap to start the spring before charging home late for fourth in the Underwood Stakes and third in the Turnbull Stakes,which indicated he should have been ready to peak in the Caulfield Cup.
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Waller also felt he might have been too relaxed before the Caulfield Cup,so the other change on Tuesday will be that jockey Joao Moreira lets Soulcombe stretch his legs on the way to the barriers.
“He has been going out with a pony and I think he just needs that little bit of motivation to have him sharp,” Waller said. “If you look at the Caulfield Cup,other than the start he was very competitive,and he got a check on the home turn,which didn’t help.
“He was very strong late,and we have been preparing him for one race.
“I think he is a stayer that possesses a turn of foot,and we are doing this to let him show that on Tuesday.”
Soulcombe has been backed from $11 to $9 as the fourth pick in the betting behind favourite Vauban,which is paying $4.20 at Sportsbet. He is one of four runners for Waller along with More Felons,Sheraz and Magical Lagoon all considered outsiders.
“You often go into the Melbourne Cup wondering if your horse will get the trip,we know all four of horses will run the two miles,” Waller said.
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