Favourite Hawkspur has continued to drift in Betstar’s Caulfield Cup market.

Hawkspur was a $4.60 chance before Wednesday’s barrier draw, but since landing the wide gate of 16 has moved out to $5.50.

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But leading Australian bookmaker Alan Eskander believes the Queensland Derby winner will still start favourite on Saturday, despite stablemate Royal Descent shortening from $7 into $6.

“Punters are betting very wide and obviously betting around Hawkspur at the moment,” Betstar’s Eskander said.

“He has drifted out to $5.50 from $4.60 but I still think he will probably start favourite.

“When pushed, trainer Chris Waller suggested that Royal Descent was the best of his changes after the barrier draw and the market support is reflecting that.

“I doubt there will be much between them in the betting come race time.”

Waller has four runners in the Caulfield Cup and is a $2.75 chance with Betstar to claim the Group one race.

While the battle lines between the Northern and Southern hemisphere have been drawn, with the Caulfield Cup winner a $1.53 chance of being bred in the Southern hemisphere.