“Winning the 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup with Verry Elleegant was pretty surreal,” he said at the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour at Macedon Lodge.
“It hits you in the face and you say wow, we have just won the Melbourne Cup.”
While Waller possesses the equine talent and quantity to be a serious contender in this year’s race, he has also added another element: expanding his Sydney-Melbourne operations by establishing a satellite stable at Macedon Lodge, which has proven to be an excellent testing ground for his horses.
Situated just an hour north of Melbourne, this boutique training facility has a track record of nurturing talent, having produced four Cup winners, including Efficient in 2007, Green Moon in 2012, Almandin in 2016, and Ethereal in 2001.
“Macedon Lodge is synonymous with making Melbourne Cup winners and great horses over the past few years,” Waller said.
“When it was made available it looked an obvious choice to be able to utilise it to get horses fitter and mentally in a better state, happier.
“It’s just a very natural environment and I think that’s where horses thrive.”
Soulcombe and Francesco Guardi, both Macedon Lodge residents, are Waller’s great hopes in the Cup this year. Soulcombe placed third in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and Francesco Guardi ran seventh.
"It's not only a race that stops the nation, it's a race that stops the world." - Chris Waller
