It's time for the 150th running of the famous Caulfield Cup, in what shapes as a wide-open field chasing the $6.5 million prize pool in 2026. We run the rule over all 18 runners, breaking down the ticks and knocks ahead of Saturday's big race.
TAB fixed odds correct as of 4pm AEDT, 15th October 2026 (please visit tab.com.au for the latest).
1. Half Yours (7) - $11.00
The tick: Better with each run so far this prep and draws a great barrier.
The knock: Just hasn't been the same since last year's Cups double. Beaten 6.5 lengths last start, carrying the top weight, and no returning Caulfield Cup winner has been able to run a place.
2. Cosmic Crusader (17) - $4.80
The tick: Hard fit and has shown he's more than up to the level emphasised by is huge win in the Turnbull in heavy conditions.
The knock: Tackling 2400m the first time and has to do it from a wide gate.
3. Treasurethe Moment (5) - $34.00
The tick: A high-class mare who draws a good barrier and should take some fitness benefit from last week.
The knock: Badly out of form and pulled up lame after the Might and Power. She's not the same horse she was when winning an ATC Oaks and placing in a Cox Plate last year.
4. Kingswood (20) - $21.00
The tick: On the quick backup after a gallant run and racing well in weight-for-age conditions.
The knock: Not proven at the distance and doesn't seem well weighted.
5. Knight's Choice (22) - $31.00
The tick: Airborne. Should have finished closer in the Naturalism and again unlucky when 3rd over this distance in the Herbert Power.
The knock: May want further and won't have too much intent from that barrier with a Melbourne Cup in mind.
6. Middle Earth (11) - $26.00
The tick: Fourth up now, and back to handicap conditions after struggling at weight-for-age level.
The knock: Another who'll want even further. His form is average.
READ: Previewing The Everest
7. Enfjaar (1) - $12.00
The tick: Last start winner in the Group 3 Glorious Stakes at Goodwood, draws barrier one, and gets in well at the weights.
The knock: First time at Caulfield as with every other raider and hard to know if he carries the same class as other internationals that have performed well here in the past.
8. Green Spaces (18) - $31.00
The tick: Group 1 winner over the distance in the Autumn. He'll stay the trip.
The knock: Will need some luck from his gate, and I thought he was entitled to finish a lot closer than he did in the Metrop.
9. Royal Supremacy (8) - $14.00
The tick: Fifth in this last year. In good form winning the Group 3 JRA Cup when controlling the race from the front. Third up now and drops 5.5kg from that run. Map also in his favour.
The knock: Enjoyed an extremely soft time in front last start, so the performance may look better than it was.
10. Wine Dark Sea (19) - $9.00
The tick: Has won three of his past four including a 13-length romp at Carlisle before impressively taking out the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes in tougher company. Damian Lane on a big plus.
The knock: Risks getting caught wide from that gate and faces a much larger field than he's been racing against overseas.
11. Asterix (10) - $51.00
The tick: Trained by the master Chris Waller and has won three from five at this distance.
The knock: Beaten 43 lengths in the Turnbull and doesn't look up to this level.
12. Saint George (2) - $8.00
The tick: Draws beautifully in barrier two and gets his chance with only 53.5kg on his back. Distance no issue.
The knock: Seven-year-old who is still yet to win a black type.
13. Starford (15) - $18.00
The tick: You can't underestimate a northern hemisphere import trained by Joseph O'Brien. Looks well in with just 53.5kg on his back.
The knock: Overseas form doesn't look flash outside of a Group 3 win at the Curragh in April. Reckon he wants a wet track.
14. She's A Hustler (6) - $17.00
The tick: Hasn't contested the mile-and-a-half since last year's Zipping Classic win and she finally gets there again. Maps to get a really soft run.
The knock: Well beaten in the Turnbull.
15. Soul Of Spain (13) - $31.00
The tick: Will definitely run out the trip and gets his preferred dry track.
The knock: Was fairly plain last start so needs to improve.
16. Zahrann (4) - $8.00
The tick: His win in the Naturalism came on a Good 3 and I'm not sure we've seen his best yet. Barrier four a huge plus.
The knock: Was poor in the Turnbull. There are still question marks over the Naturalism form as well, and others behind him that day had factors against.
17. Ohope Wins (16) - $21.00
The tick: Ran well last start and fitter now fourth up. Dual Group 1 winner whose career wins have all come beyond 2000m. Has no weight.
The knock: The barrier. Hasn't finished better than 6th in slowly run races this prep. Wants tempo and might not get it.
18. Kings Valley (12) - $34.00
The tick: Last attempt at this distance was a win in the Mornington Cup in April. Clocked the second-fastest final 400m of the Naturalism behind only the winner Zahrann.
The knock: Been lacking gate speed recently. Best finish this prep is 7th.
EMERGENCIES
19. The Euphrates (9) (EM1) - $14.00
20. Juja Kibo (14) (EM2) - $14.00
21. Point Of Law (21) (EM3) - $23.00
22. Mr Monaco (3) (EM4) - $34.00
SELECTIONS:
16. Zahrann - $8.00
7. Enfjaar - $12.00
10. Wine Dark Sea - $9.00
17. Ohope Wins - $21.00
Call me crazy, but I'm going against the favourite and am happy to be beaten by him. I just can't take sub-$5 given the distance query and barrier in what I reckon is an open race with plenty of smokeys. I've got Zahrann on top. I'm putting a fat line through his poor run on a heavy last start. Third-up, 2400m, barrier four, and a dry track are all ticks. We're yet to see his best, and I just can't see a world where he doesn't run well. Ethan Brown also elected to stay in Melbourne to ride him rather than Jimmysstar in The Everest. Enfjaar and Wine Dark Sea look the pick of the internationals, and Ohope Wins, She's A Hustler, and Kings Valley are three roughies who look to be flying under the radar.