Half Yours draws well in quest for back-to-back Caulfield Cups

Defending champion Half Yours has secured barrier seven for Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), while several leading contenders face difficult draws in the $5 million feature.

Half Yours will attempt to become a back-to-back winner of the Caulfield Cup, although he faces a significantly tougher task at the weights after carrying 52.5kg to victory last year.

The gelding has been allocated 57.5kg this time, with Mark Zahra taking the ride after Jamie Melham elected to partner Blue Door in The Everest at Randwick.

Among the major rivals, Kingswood has drawn barrier 20 and Knight’s Choice will jump from barrier 22, leaving both horses with wide gates to overcome.

Ciaron Maher has enjoyed better fortune with several of his runners, including Saint George in barrier two and Zahrann in barrier four.

Maher’s other guaranteed starters are Royal Supremacy, who drew barrier eight, Middle Earth in 11 and Kings Valley in 12.

Enfjaar has secured the inside barrier, while Treasurethe Moment will begin from gate five.

Wine Dark Sea faces a wide draw in barrier 19, while last-start Turnbull Stakes winner Cosmic Crusader has drawn barrier 17.

The four emergencies are The Euphrates (barrier nine), Juja Kibo (14), Point Of Law (21) and Mr Monaco (three).

Half Yours will now attempt to overcome a 5kg increase on his winning weight from last year as he bids to defend his Caulfield Cup crown.