THE decision by Gai Waterhouse to miss Saturday's Caulfield Cup with the AJC Australian Oaks victor Once Were Wild has ensured The Metropolitan-winning stablemate Herculian Prince a start in the $2.55 million race, reports the Sydney Morning Herald/Age.It says: In pursuit of a first Caulfield Cup, Waterhouse will also start her AJC Australian Derby runner-up Descarado, with the Queensland-based Chris Munce to ride.Herculian Prince and the South Australian Alcopop, which turned in a superb cups t

THE decision by Gai Waterhouse to miss Saturday's Caulfield Cup with the AJC Australian Oaks victor Once Were Wild has ensured The Metropolitan-winning stablemate Herculian Prince a start in the $2.55 million race, reports the Sydney Morning Herald/Age.

It says: In pursuit of a first Caulfield Cup, Waterhouse will also start her AJC Australian Derby runner-up Descarado, with the Queensland-based Chris Munce to ride.

Herculian Prince and the South Australian Alcopop, which turned in a superb cups trial when rattling home under 59kg to finish second behind So You Think in last Saturday's Yalumba Stakes, were fighting for the 18th and final spot in the Caulfield Cup field.

Waterhouse convinced Once Were Wild's owner John Singleton to head to the Geelong Cup with the mare which will then start in the Mackinnon Stakes before contesting the Melbourne Cup.

Alcopop drops 5.5kg to 53.5kg in the Caulfield Cup with Mark Zahra retaining the mount. Waterhouse has engaged Glyn Schofield for the ride on Herculian Prince as stable jockey Nash Rawiller can't make the 53.5kg.

''Good horses win Caulfield Cups and he is obviously in that category,'' Schofield said yesterday. ''Leaders also have a good record in the race, which gives me a bit more of a boost.

''The good thing about him is that he can get them off the bit and get them chasing a long way out. He is not going to be a leader that canters and sprints away. He is going to be a leader who gallops the whole way. It's going to be a truly run race.''

The presence of Zavite, which ran ninth in last year's Caulfield Cup after leading, is certain to ensure a torridly run race, and Randwick trainer John O'Shea is also keen for a solid tempo.

O'Shea will start the Rosehill Guineas winner, Zabrasive, with Craig Newitt on board. Sydney Cup-winning stablemate Jessicabeel will be ridden by James Winks.