But Waller and the hugely experienced Gai Waterhouse are not trainers who leave things to chance and both are confident that if their horses are beaten, it won't be through lack of ringcraft.
Invincible Star eased in betting when she drew barrier No 16, which will come into No 14 with the emergencies scratched.
A suspended Tommy Berry has twice won this race and is a two-time winner of the Golden Slipper. He told a mid-week press conference it was Gai Waterhouse who counselled him to accept that 2-year-old races are won in the first few strides.
Settling into a good spot without working is key. If that's the case Tim Clark will need to work some early magic on Invincible Star.
Local Gold Coast youngster Houtzen (No 11) was the early favourite after two stunning victories at her only appearances, but punters dropped off when she came up with gate No 21. She can fly the start and there may be some chance the canny Jeff Lloyd, who will ride Winning Rupert for Baker in the Guineas 40 minutes earlier, can get her across the field.
As always this race has too many ifs and buts to make it a real punting event, but it will be a fascinating contest.
We have Ellerslie today and group one racing at Trentham.
At Ellerslie, Volks Lightning (No 7, R1) is a good way to begin the day. He won stylishly here on December 3 then got a long way back also at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, before running home home in some of the best sectionals of the day to finish seventh, but just 1.5 lengths from the winner.
That was in a 13-horse field and Volks Lightning has just seven opponents today, which will make it easier late in the race if he drops off the pace early. Fully Funded (No 2) ran a beaut last start.
Aleria (No 13, R2) looks like a Fastnet Rock filly with plenty of upside. She ran home strongly over 1300m for a close second at Tauranga last start and this track and 1400m should suit her better.
Repo Bay (No 12) is another rapid improver.
Take the short odds about Heroic Valour (No 1, R3). Yes, he has to lump 60.5kg topweight, but his class should pull him through. He was just 2.1 lengths from winner Ugo Foscolo in the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton last start and the opposition here is a touch easier. Veearma (No 9) will get some of the money.
Felton Road (No 1, R4) overcame a shocking barrier to win here on debut last start. He has another awkward barrier, but will know a bit more about the game now.
Mighty Power (No 3) has ability and there was plenty to like about his debut second at New Plymouth.
Hollywood Lass (No 9, R5) is due another win and this looks a nice race for her to achieve it. She had a quiet trial mid-week and should be in great shape for this.
Don't drop Serious Satire (No 7, R7) for her inability to do better than fifth last start here. She was probably feeling the effects of a very tough narrow win when resuming after surgery and a decent break.
She is much better than that and she should help prove that here.
Forget Nomisma (No 6) went around on a very firm track at Riccarton. She will do much better here.
A decent early each-way bet at Trentham is juvenile Padraig (No 3, R2).
He impressed at the trials, finishing a strong second to Ruakaka winner Florence Jean then turned in a screamer to finish second at Ellerslie on debut.
He drew wide that day and unfortunately has done so again. If Matt Cameron can get him any sort of run from the No 11 gate, he will be storming into at the 150m.
Save a shout for Authentic Paddy (No 1, R5) in the Trentham Stakes. You could not imagine a more worthy winner after some enormous placed efforts against some smart horses.
He is ideally placed here with just 56kg and should go close to a well deserved success. Sampson (No 8) drops from 60kg last week to 55kg and it makes him look handily placed as well. He wasn't far away a week ago.
Savile Row (No 1, R7) is going to go closer to group one success in the Levin Classic. His first-up Ellerslie win was terrific, he has done well since and the 1600m is ideal for him from a handy gate.
Much the same could be said about Hall Of Fame (No 2) and Lincoln Blue (No 3), Creative Genius (No 9) and Excalibur (No 11) are strong chances.
