Despite securing a low alley for the 2400m handicap, Half Yours has eased slightly at the head of the Caulfield Cup market.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained stayer now sits a $2.80 favourite for Saturday’s Group 1 after drawing barrier two.
Although some form students view the inside marble as tricky for his pattern, co-trainer Calvin McEvoy believes the map suits, giving the gelding cover and an energy-saving run early.
“It’s a good draw,” McEvoy said.
“These are high pressure contests, and we’ve watched the replays, and the pressure comes on a long way out.
“Drawing inside with a horse that can hold a spot is going to mean he’s going to get a rest for the first half of the race which is so important.
“We know he can absorb pressure and we couldn’t be any happier with the barrier.”
Half Yours put himself on the Cup radar with his Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) win in July, initially plotting a Sydney path. After a 1500m fifth at Rosehill on August 30, connections redirected to Caulfield for the Naturalism Stakes (2000m) on September 20, which he won to lock in ballot exemption.
He then ran a strong fourth in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on October 4, a performance that propelled him to the top of Caulfield Cup odds.
“He’s been up and racing for a long time, but he’s probably one of the fittest horses with the miles he’s got in his legs,” McEvoy said.
“His Turnbull run was great, he did a little bit of work on the course proper at Flemington yesterday and worked beautifully.
“He was down at the beach this morning and the work is virtually done.
“Finn McCarthy, our assistant trainer at Flemington, when I get in every morning, I go straight to his (Half Yours) box, and he tells me to leave him alone.
“The whole team is up and about, from Ballarat, to the office, to those at Flemington, everyone has a real buzz about them.
“We’re excited to have this opportunity to be competing in a race like this with a live chance.”
Immediately inside Half Yours is Irish traveller Absurde—on his third Melbourne mission and debuting at Caulfield—whose camp welcomed the paint draw.
David Casey, the assistant trainer for Willie Mullins and charged with overseeing Absurde’s Melbourne preparation, said drawing inside was far better than being out wide.
“Ideally, we wanted somewhere around five, but this way he will be able to relax and hopefully they will go a good gallop,” Casey said.
Former stablemate Vauban, now with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, landed gate 13 and reunites with Blake Shinn.
“Barrier 13 is OK for him as he hasn’t been having much luck of late,” Waterhouse said.
“Blake will be able to hopefully keep him out of trouble. Blake was my stable jockey in Sydney, and he knows how I like our horses ridden.”
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