The Peter Moody-trained Incentivise remains the short-priced favourite for Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup despite drawing awkwardly in barrier 20.
The Makybe Diva and Turnbull Stakes winner drifted ever-so-slightly out to $2.60 following Wednesday’s barrier draw but has remained firm at that price in the capacity field of 18.
The gelding by Shamus Award burst onto the scene with a comfortable maiden win on the Sunshine Coast back in April and has since gone on to win his last eight starts.
One of those wins came over 2400m at Eagle Farm in the Group 3 Tatt’s Cup, making the star five-year-old the horse to beat in his third run back.
If you took Incentivise out of Saturday’s $5 million feature though, it would be fair to call this year’s Cup the most wide-open we’ve ever seen.
Last Saturday’s Herbert Power Stakes winner Delphi remains the second-elect but was also a drifter earlier in the week after drawing right alongside the favourite in barrier 19.
The Galileo entire won with something in hand under Damien Oliver, who sticks aboard despite the massive weight drop. Delphi has won over further in his career and can be found at $9.00 in the Ladbrokes market, out from the original $6.50 quote.
Damian Lane, meanwhile, is looking to return to the winner’s circle after winning the 2019 Caulfield Cup aboard Mer De Glace.
The 21-time Group 1 winner looks a live chance to add another Cup to his mantlepiece when he saddles The Chosen One, who returns on the quick backup following a very brave second to Delphi last week.
The son of Savabeel ran a length third to Verry Elleegant last year before returning two weeks later at Flemington to finish fourth to Twilight Payment in the Melbourne Cup.
Further down, Master of Wine has seen good support into $21.00 from $41.00.
The talented stayer hasn’t visited the winner’s stall in over a year but did show strong improvement for third in the Bart Cummings at Flemington two weeks ago over further.
Explosive Jack is another intriguing runner sitting on the third line of betting.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained stayer claimed a Derby three-peat during the spring and has since resumed with two runs in the Makybe Diva and the Turnbull.
Both runs were basically hit outs as he gets out to his preferred distance, and the 2400m on his home track looks ideal for him now at this stage of his prep.
She’s Ideel is another runner proven over 2400m. The mare by Dundeel opened a $67.00 chance before barriers were drawn and is now into $34.00.
The six-year-old opener the spring half-a-length third to Mo’unga in the Winx Stakes and then went on to win the Group 3 Kingstown Town by over a length.
Her latest effort in the Metropolitan can be forgiven, while the fact she handles rain-affected going is an enormous plus.
Also drawn out wide is Montefilia, who won the Metropolitan two weeks ago by the narrowest of margins.
Metropolitan winners have gone on to win the Caulfield Cup only three times over the last 38 years, but the mare does command respect with wet track form and a win to her name over 2400m.
Click here for Ladbrokes complete 2021 Caulfield Cup market ahead of Saturday’s race at 5:15pm (AEDT).
The post 2021 Caulfield Cup Field & Betting Update: Incentivise Remains Favourite, Master of Wine the Market Mover appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au.
