Alcopop has lost his spot at the top of the betting after drawing the outside barrier in Saturday's $2.5 million Caulfield Cup.The Jeune six-year-old, who returned to his best form with a slashing second to Cox Plate odds-on favourite So You Think in last Saturday's Yalumba Stakes, will jump from barrier 18 if the four emergencies come out.The last Caulfield Cup winner to jump from 18 was Lord Reims who led all the way under Brent Thomson in heavy going in 1987.Apart from outstanding mare Let's

Alcopop has lost his spot at the top of the betting after drawing the outside barrier in Saturday's $2.5 million Caulfield Cup.

The Jeune six-year-old, who returned to his best form with a slashing second to Cox Plate odds-on favourite So You Think in last Saturday's Yalumba Stakes, will jump from barrier 18 if the four emergencies come out.

The last Caulfield Cup winner to jump from 18 was Lord Reims who led all the way under Brent Thomson in heavy going in 1987.

Apart from outstanding mare Let's Elope, who won from 17 in 1991, the widest winning barriers since have been 13 for Mannerism (1992), Mummify (2003) and Viewed last year.

For the first time at a Caulfield Cup draw, connections could pick which barrier they wanted of the ones left after their horse's name was drawn and trainer Jake Stephens said the ideal draw for Alcopop would have been seven.

"It's one of those things, you can't do anything about it," Stephens said.

"With the winter weather and the track, you never know they might be finishing on down the outside."

The track was downgraded to a slow (6) before the start of Wednesday's Thousand Guineas meeting due to persistent overnight and morning rain.

"He won on a slow seven at Moonee Valley last year (in the JRA Cup)," Stephens said.

"Obviously I'd prefer it a bit firmer. A dead four or five would be nice."

Stephens said he would not be altering race tactics with Alcopop who normally settles back and runs on strongly.

He said he would have a talk with jockey Mark Zahra before Saturday.

Alcopop has drifted from $6.50 after Tuesday's announcement of the Caulfield Cup field to $9 after the barrier draw with TAB Sportsbet, leaving Sydney gallopers Herculian Prince and Metal Bender as $6 equal favourites ahead of Shocking at $7.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained Herculian Prince will jump from barrier six while the Chris Waller-trained Metal Bender drew two but will jump from one if second emergency Red Ruler doesn't gain a start.

Reigning Melbourne Cup winner Shocking drew gate 12.

Bart Cummings' Melbourne stable foreman Reg Fleming picked barriers seven and eight respectively for stablemates Faint Perfume and Dariana, both at $10, who could give the master trainer his eighth win in the race.

"He (Cummings) just said 'don't stuff it up because you won't be doing it again'," Fleming quipped.

"He's coming down tomorrow (Thursday). He's looking forward to getting down here."

Cummings has been recovering from a fractured pelvis which he suffered in a fall at home.

Fleming said a soft track would suit VRC Oaks winner Faint Perfume but not Queensland Derby winner Dariana.

"Faint Perfume has won in the heavy so it won't worry her, but it's unfortunate for Dariana because she likes a good track," he said.

Fleming said Faint Perfume would wear blinkers for the first time to "sharpen her up a bit".

"She's come in a bit gross and she's taken a while to get fit," he said.

The Luca Cumani-trained Manighar is best fancied of the internationals at $11 after drawing nicely in barrier three ahead of Hong Kong horse Mr Medici who is at $18 after drawing wide in barrier 16.

Veteran Japanese stayer Tokai Trick drew gate 21 and is at $35.