The Cox Plate runner-up will be there on the first Tuesday in November.

Buckaroo will run in the 2025 Melbourne Cup.

Majority owner Ozzie Kheir confirmed on Wednesday morning that the Cox Plate runner-up will head to the great 3200m handicap at Flemington next Tuesday.

Kheir says trainer Chris Waller could not find an excuse not to run Buckaroo who will attempt to win the Melbourne Cup after running a place in the Cox Plate - just as Verry Elleegant did in 2021.

Craig Williams will take the ride on the seven-year-old who will carry 57kg.

“I personally made a decision about a minute after the Cox Plate,” Kheir laughed on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.

“But speaking to Chris this morning we are going to progress towards a Melbourne Cup. We think that’s the right race for him, he deserves his shot at it.

“Chris is very happy with him and how he’s pulled up, he couldn’t fault him. His exact words were, ‘I’ve been trying to find an excuse for him but I’ve got none’.

“So he’s ready to go. He’s not too dissimilar to the position we were in with Verry Elleegant and that worked out very good in the end. We’ll roll the dice.

“I’ve informed Craig Williams of our decision as well. So onwards and upwards.”

Kheir admits he was not planning on a Cup run prior to the Cox Plate and now the task is with Waller to get him ready for two miles.

“No, I wasn’t,” he replied.

“I was on the fence until we ran in the Might And Power. If we were going to go to the Melbourne Cup my view was that we’d go the Caulfield Cup path.

“Once we decided to pivot and go to the Might And Power the likelihood was we wouldn’t want to back up and would go to the Cox Plate, which was essentially Cox Plate and then the Champions Stakes on the last day (of the Flemington Carnival).

“But after his performance in the Cox Plate… he’s got a very similar profile to Verry Elleegant and he’s actually got better lead-in form than what she had.

“It will be up to Chris now to have him perfect to run two miles but he’s a master and we’ve got full confidence with him.”

Kheir added: “I think he’s the class horse with Al Riffa.”

Buckaroo ended up jumping the $6 favourite in last year’s Melbourne Cup but endured a torrid run when three wide at the rear of the field.

Joao Moreira then attempted to circle the field only to finish ninth but just 3.5 lengths from the winner Knight’s Choice.

Buckaroo is currently rated a $9 Cup hope with Sportsbet.

What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au