Inside draw ideal for Half Yours in the 2025 Caulfield Cup

Market leaders have trimmed Half Yours slightly despite his low draw for Saturday’s 2400m Caulfield Cup.

The McEvoy stable’s five-year-old is a $2.80 favourite after landing barrier two for the Group 1.

Some handicappers queried whether the inside gate is ideal, yet Calvin McEvoy maintains the map is a plus, providing position and cover through the high-pressure early stages.

“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.”

After landing the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) in July, Half Yours began his spring in Sydney (1500m, Rosehill, August 30) before a pivot south to the Naturalism Stakes (2000m) on September 20, which he won to secure ballot exemption.

His closing fourth in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 4 solidified his spot atop the 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.”

On the inside is seasoned international Absurde, back for another Melbourne tilt and set for a first look at Caulfield, with his team preferring low over wide.

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.

Vauban, now under Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, drew 13 and will be ridden by 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.”

Thinking of a flutter on the Caulfield Cup? Line up the best betting sites, popular betting apps and leading Aussie bookmakers first.