'Doesn't have trouble with many': Chris Waller lifts the lid on Melbourne Cup hopeful's issues
Champion trainer Chris Waller has admitted Land Legend will need to calm things down if he is any chance of taking out the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
The five-year-old has enjoyed a solid spring to date, finishing third in the Caulfield Cup while also taking out the Group 1 Metropolitan by a narrow margin in Sydney.
However, there have been some concerns over the gelding's antics at the track, which saw him unsettled last start and causing dramas for one of the world's best jockeys.
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Speaking to media on the eve of the Cup, Waller admitted things needed a revamp and revealed that Land Legend would now race with earmuffs on.
Land Legend is ridden during the Caulfield Cup. Getty
"He over-raced in the Caulfield Cup," he said.
"Before the race he got worked up and tried to take the rider on. Zac Purton is a world-class rider and doesn't have trouble with many horses, but he did with Land Legend.
"We've done everything we can, which means changing his work regime a little bit and less fast sprinting work but more long, slower work.
"The earmuffs will go on to block out the noise of the crowd. Most horses handle it quite well, but for him it might add to his excitement, so we're just trying to dull that sound.
"He won't be hearing that race noise … it can be overwhelming."
Part of the fresh approach from the Waller camp saw the runner head out to Bendigo to prepare him for the $8.5 million feature race at Flemington.
"Land Legend went to Bendigo for his main piece of work about seven days prior to the Melbourne Cup and he was faultless," the trainer said.
"He paraded well and went out onto the track without turning a hair and that all transpired into his work.
"He relaxed well and finished off nicely … we've done everything we can."
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Waller will have five horses competing on Tuesday afternoon, with Buckaroo - who also placed in the Caulfield Cup - near the top of the betting market.
Kovalica, Valiant King and Manzoice will also feature and Waller is confident all of his runners are ready to rock and roll in front of 90,000 people.
"We've had a good preparation with the five horses," he said.
"They've just passed their pre-race trot ups and vet examinations, which are very thorough and very nerve-wracking for the coach of a team. Fortunately, with only 24 hours to run, we've got a team of five healthy horses ready to do their best.
Chris Waller speaks at a media event prior to the Melbourne Cup. Getty
"It's good to have two right up in the market. Land Legend I think complements Buckaroo and he's shown that with a Group 1 win this preparation in Sydney. He is very well bred, he is by Galileo who is one of the best stallions of all-time.
"We've got a Derby winner who is well down in the market but has won on the biggest stage here at Flemington two years ago in Manzoice.
"Kovalica is coming out of the right form races and Valiant King is a real genuine two-miler and that's when the stamina counts.
"We ran third in the race last year with Shiraz, who is a similar type of horse, so I'm confident of the five that Valiant King will probably stay the best."