Australia’s top two stables are preparing to field nearly half of the Caulfield Cup runners.

A full field of 18, plus four emergencies, have accepted for the 150th running of the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday.

Ciaron Maher has five of the 18 runners in contention for Saturday’s feature race, alongside three of the four emergencies, while Chris Waller is set to saddle three horses.

Among the 18 starters, three are international competitors. Enfjaar has drawn the inside gate, Starford is in barrier 15, and Wine Dark Sea will jump from 19.

Despite an outside draw in barrier 17, which could become 14 if emergencies do not gain a start, Cosmic Crusader retains favouritism for the race, easing from $4.50 to $5.

Zahrann, a Maher contender, firmed from $9 to $7 after drawing barrier four.

Maher’s other acceptors are Middle Earth (barrier 11), Royal Supremacy (8), Saint George (2), and Kings Valley (12). The emergencies are Juju Kibo (14), Point Of Law (21), and Mr Monaco (3).

Waller’s trio all drew double-figure barriers – Asterix (10), Soul Of Spain (13), and Ohope Wins (16).

Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, stated that the soft draw was ideal for Zahrann, who is aiming to improve on a disappointing run in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington. Zahrann had previously secured a ballot exemption by winning the Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on September 19.

“That day (at Flemington) the race pace was extremely brutal and was something he had not been accustomed to,” Turnbull said.

“Prior to that his wins had been in slower pace races where he had been able to travel and then quicken.”

“It was set-weights that day, he’s back to handicap conditions and it’s a shame we have to take him on trust because I believe he’s got a lot of X-factor getting up in trip.”

“The race shape should see Royal Supremacy go forward, and I can’t see the race being as frantically run as it was in the Turnbull and Zahrann should be able to possie up midfield and travel throughout.”

Saint George, who finished second to Zahrann in the Naturalism Stakes, also drew well in gate two, the same barrier Half Yours used to win last year’s Caulfield Cup.

“He gets 12 furlongs (2400m), he’ll get a nice economical run,” Turnbull said.

“He’s more seasoned and the pressure in the first 400 metres is high and they generally stretch and he’ll be tucked away.”

Middle Earth returns to handicap conditions on Saturday after competing in weight-for-age and set-weights and penalty races this campaign.

“He’s been under the radar,” Turnbull said.

“He’s a horse that only has a few races on the calendar that really suit him.”

“He’s a genuine staying horse and now that we’re at 2400 metres after a couple of prep runs, his fitness is there and can start to show his true potential.”

Kings Valley is chasing a $1 million bonus after winning the Mornington Cup (2400m) in April.

Turnbull indicated the stayer had been a little slow in shifting its coat this campaign, but after four runs this preparation, the horse is heading in the right direction.

Of the three emergencies, Turnbull nominated Jujo Kibo as the one he would most like to see in Saturday’s field.

“I think the way he won last time, Juju Kibo, at the weight, might be the one,” Turnbull said.

“He’s a Metrop winner whereas Point Of Law has travelled out (from the UK) but has a bit of hype around him and Mr Monaco won the Bart Cummings.”

Co-trainer Calvin McEvoy was all smiles after Half Yours drew barrier seven.

Mark Zahra takes over from Jamie Melham aboard the dual Cups winner.

“It takes a lot of the guess work out of it,” McEvoy said of Half Yours’ draw.

“These big, high-pressure handicaps, if you draw wide, it nearly dictates what you have got to do.”

“We were lucky last year that he drew well in the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.”

“I think from seven, or six, where he may jump from, it will allow Mark Zahra the chance to get the horse to switch off and conserve his energy, which is an asset he has, and then get some luck at the right time.”

“We’ve got a big race jockey on board.”

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